10-Hour CO2 Battery & 32MWh Flow Battery: Non-Lithium Long-Duration Energy Storage Goes Big in the US
The American energy storage landscape is undergoing a profound transformation powered by non-lithium long-duration energy storage technologies. Two landmark projects announced in mid-June 2026 signal that these alternatives are no longer laboratory curiosities — they are becoming bankable, utility-scale assets. This shift toward non-lithium solutions represents the most significant diversification in grid-scale storage in over a decade.
The Arizona CO2 Battery: A 10-Hour LDES Game Changer
Italian innovator Energy Dome has partnered with Arizona utility SRP and tech giant Google to build a 19MW/190MWh CO2 battery project — one of the most ambitious non-lithium long-duration energy storage deployments to date. This facility will deliver an impressive 10 hours of continuous discharge, operating under a 20-year capacity contract with commercial operation expected by 2029.
Google's involvement is particularly strategic. The project belongs to the company's broader initiative to fund non-lithium LDES pilot programs aimed at decarbonizing data center energy consumption. As hyperscale facilities strain local grids, finding sustainable non-lithium long-duration energy storage has become a strategic imperative for tech companies worldwide.
Why CO2 Battery Technology Excels
Unlike lithium-ion systems providing 2-4 hours of storage, CO2 batteries store energy by compressing and liquefying carbon dioxide in a closed-loop thermodynamic cycle. This approach offers zero degradation over decades, no reliance on critical minerals, and the ability to scale duration simply by increasing tank size — all core advantages of non-lithium long-duration energy storage systems.
California's Record-Breaking Vanadium Flow Battery
Meanwhile, UK-based Invinity Energy Systems has secured the largest vanadium redox flow battery order in North American history. The 32MWh system will serve Pacific Steel Group's Mojave micro-mill in Kern County, California, supported by a $14 million grant from the California Energy Commission — further validating commercial interest in non-lithium long-duration energy storage at industrial scale.
Flow batteries decouple power from energy capacity, a critical advantage for applications requiring 6+ hours of discharge. The vanadium chemistry also eliminates fire risk and offers 25+ year lifespans with virtually no capacity fade.
What This Means for Grid-Scale Storage
These breakthroughs demonstrate that non-lithium long-duration energy storage is diversifying beyond lithium at an accelerating pace. The US Department of Energy targets reducing LDES costs by 90% by 2030, and projects like these are critical stepping stones. Utilities are increasingly viewing multi-technology portfolios — anchored by non-lithium options — as the safest path to grid resilience.
The Policy Catalyst Behind LDES Growth
Federal incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act, combined with state-level mandates in California and Arizona, are creating a favorable environment for deploying non-lithium long-duration energy storage projects. California's Long-Duration Energy Storage Program, specifically, provides the funding framework that made the Invinity project financially viable.
Looking Ahead: The LDES Commercialization Wave
The commercial viability of long-duration storage is no longer theoretical. With Energy Dome targeting 2029 and Invinity aiming for 2027, the pipeline of operational non-lithium long-duration energy storage projects will grow substantially over the next three years. For businesses evaluating energy resilience strategies, the message is clear: the post-lithium storage era has begun, and those who invest early in diverse storage technologies will be best positioned.
To stay ahead of the latest developments in non-lithium long-duration energy storage technology, visit our store for cutting-edge battery and energy storage products. Whether you need grid-scale solutions or commercial backup systems, explore our collection to find the perfect fit for your energy needs.
The bottom line: Two milestone projects — a 190MWh CO2 battery in Arizona and a 32MWh vanadium flow battery in California — prove that non-lithium long-duration energy storage is ready for prime time. The convergence of corporate backing, government funding, and technological maturity is accelerating deployment faster than most analysts predicted.
