West Virginia solar project to pair lithium BESS with zinc long

MN8 Energy is building a solar + storage system that will provide dispatchable capacity to the PJM grid serving Google’s data centers in the West Virginia region. The 86-MW solar project will pair 100 MWh of zinc-based long-duration energy storage from Eos along with 280 MWh of lithium-ion energy storage. The solar project is expected to reach commercial operation in 2028, with lithium-ion storage and long-duration storage (LDES) following in 2029 and 2030, respectively. MN8 custom-designed its Mammoth Solar project in Kanawha County, West Virginia, as an integrated utility-scale solar system with short- and long-duration storage that converts intermittent renewable generation into a single, dispatchable resource. It’s the first commercial-scale long-duration energy storage deployment in West Virginia. “At Google, we’re committed to backing solutions that both serve our data center capacity needs and accelerate progress toward cleaner, more affordable energy systems,” said Lucia Tian, Director, Advanced Energy Technologies at Google. “This collaboration with MN8 and Eos aims to deploy a smart portfolio of round-the-clock technology solutions to help power our digital infrastructure, while creating meaningful economic benefits for West Virginia.” Under the agreement, Google will purchase the energy, capacity, and clean energy attributes of the project, advancing the company’s commitment to bring new capacity to the grids where it operates. The project is part of Google’s broader efforts to accelerate LDES technology commercialization with the aim to rapidly bring its potential to communities everywhere. “This project reflects what MN8 does best: understanding a customer’s unique energy profile and building a solution around it,” said Jon Yoder, President and CEO of MN8 Energy. “Because Google was willing to pair next-generation storage with utility-scale solar, we could engineer proven and emerging technologies into one dispatchable resource — and deliver clean, around-the-clock power where the grid needs it most.” The project marks Google’s first project that uses Eos’ American-made Z3 technology and the first project under the previously announced MN8-Eos Master Supply Agreement. The 10-MW/100-MWh system is designed to provide 10 hours of storage, extending the availability of solar generation beyond the shorter-duration energy storage resources and enabling the combined portfolio to deliver dependable capacity across more hours of the day. This project will prove how Eos’ aqueous zinc chemistry can support critical grid infrastructure. “The grid needs more from every megawatt of new generation,” said Nathan Kroeker, Chief Commercial Officer at Eos. “Our work with Google is focused on deploying American-made long-duration storage where it solves real grid reliability challenges. Z3 extends the value of clean generation across more hours, strengthens the overall portfolio, and delivers more dependable capacity when it’s needed most.” Built on a reclaimed coal mine in West Virginia, this project is expected to create economic opportunity in a community with a long energy history. Based on MN8’s estimates, it represents up to $350 million in capital investment and is expected to generate approximately $4 million in property tax revenue for the county and local schools over the first 20 years of operations, with millions more in the 15-20 years that follow. Construction is expected to create approximately 200 jobs, with additional full- and part-time roles supporting the project throughout its operating life. News item from MN8 Tell Us What You Think!