US Energy Storage Startup Makes Final Round Of Earthshot Prize

US energy storage startup Form Energy has been named a finalist in the prestigious Earthshot Prize, joining 14 other global innovators in the final round of the highly competitive program. Despite skepticism from some US officials about the existence and cost-effectiveness of energy storage, Form Energy’s iron-air battery technology has gained recognition for its potential to address long-duration energy storage challenges. The company’s battery can reportedly deliver electricity for up to 100 hours, significantly surpassing the typical four-hour duration of current lithium-ion batteries, which are mainly used for short-term peak demand management. Form Energy’s iron-air battery also offers advantages in supply chain resilience and fire safety, having passed the UL9540A safety standard at the cell level—a critical industry benchmark. The startup has attracted substantial investment, raising hundreds of millions of dollars across multiple funding rounds since its 2017 launch, and has secured contracts with utility partners. Its technology is based on the principle of reversible rusting, aiming to provide a more economical and scalable solution