Italian Battery Cuts Energy Storage Costs by Half

Italy's Green Energy Storage just solved one of renewable energy's biggest problems with a battery that costs half as much as current technology.

The Trentino-based company unveiled a manganese-hydrogen flow battery designed for power grids and large renewable energy plants. At just €0.02 per kilowatt-hour per cycle, it dramatically undercuts lithium-ion batteries while storing energy for days instead of hours.

"We see strong market demand that we aim to meet as soon as possible," said CEO Matteo Mazzotta. The company is already in discussions with potential customers for initial installations when the battery becomes commercially available in 2027.

The secret ingredient is manganese, one of Earth's most abundant metals. GES chose it specifically because Europe already has established production chains, keeping costs low and environmental impact minimal.

Unlike lithium batteries that work best for short bursts of power, this new technology can store energy for many hours or even days. That's exactly what solar and wind farms need to keep electricity flowing when the sun sets or the wind stops blowing.

The battery's flow-based design offers another advantage: energy storage capacity and power output can be sized independently. This flexibility means the system can be customized for different needs, from industrial facilities to entire city grids.

GES isn't working alone on this breakthrough. The company has partnered with RINA for technology validation, De Nora for testing platforms, Manica for chemical production, and Fraunhofer for research and development.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about cheaper batteries. Affordable long-duration storage removes the final barrier preventing renewable energy from replacing fossil fuels completely. When solar and wind power can be stored reliably for days at half the current cost, utilities can confidently build grids powered entirely by clean energy.

The timing couldn't be better as countries race to meet climate goals while keeping electricity affordable for families and businesses.

With over 75% efficiency and a lifespan exceeding 10,000 cycles, these batteries could run for decades without replacement. That means communities investing in renewable energy today won't need costly upgrades for years to come.

The technology launched at Trentino Sviluppo Agency, which promotes sustainable economic development in the region. It's a fitting debut for an innovation that could help transform Europe's energy landscape from the ground up.

By 2027, this Italian innovation could be powering the clean energy revolution at a price everyone can afford.