Minnesota Tests Cold-Proof Zinc Battery for Grid

Clean energy just found a freeze-proof champion in one of Earth's most humble metals. A pioneering university in Minnesota is proving that common zinc can store renewable power through the harshest winter nights.

The University of Minnesota Morris has broken ground on an innovative $5.9 million energy storage system. Designed to discharge one megawatt of electricity for six hours, the battery will supply nearly an entire workday of clean power to the campus.

Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries that dominate modern consumer gadgets, this grid-scale system relies on water-based zinc chemistry. Zinc is vastly more plentiful across the globe, with millions of tons mined each year right here in North America.

That abundance helps overcome international supply chain bottlenecks while fostering homegrown American manufacturing. The university partnered with Pittsburgh manufacturer Eos Energy Enterprises and regional utility Otter Tail Power to bring the system to life.

State leaders strongly backed the effort, providing $1.6 million from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. Once workers install the system, university researchers will track its daily performance and share valuable insights with utility providers everywhere.

Winter weather often poses a difficult hurdle for transition grids. Standard lithium units can lose up to 40 percent of their storage capacity when temperatures drop below freezing, requiring expensive insulation to survive.

This aqueous zinc battery thrives in the chill, maintaining reliable performance even in biting temperatures down to minus four degrees. That rugged resilience makes it an ideal fit for northern communities that endure prolonged seasonal freezes.

The installation also solves a classic clean energy puzzle by keeping power flowing when winds drop or clouds hide the sun. Local utilities usually burn natural gas during peak evening hours, but clean battery reserves can cleanly take over that heavy lifting.

The Ripple Effect

Minnesota aims to produce 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040, and long-duration storage serves as the vital bridge to that milestone. Success in Morris will provide an inspiring blueprint for cold-climate towns everywhere seeking safe, affordable independence from fossil fuels.

With simple, earth-friendly minerals stepping up to power our lives, the future of clean energy looks warmer and brighter than ever.