Amsterdam-based Ore Energy has partnered with major energy supplier Budget Thuis to deploy one gigawatt-hour (GWh) of iron-air long-duration energy storage (LDES) in the Netherlands. This agreement, finalized on June 22, 2026, marks the largest project of its kind in continental Europe. The initiative aims to address the intermittency of wind and solar power by storing excess renewable energy for 24 to 100 hours. By replacing gas-fired backup plants with this iron-air technology, the companies intend to stabilize the grid, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and mitigate the impact of volatile energy prices for consumers.
The project is set to launch with an initial 400 megawatt-hour (MWh) installation scheduled for 2028. Ore Energy’s technology utilizes iron, water, and air to store electricity, offering a non-flammable alternative to lithium-ion batteries that does not rely on cobalt. The system is housed in modular 40-foot containers, allowing for scalable capacity. According to Ore Energy CEO Aytaç Yilmaz, the technology is specifically engineered to bridge multi-day gaps in renewable generation, providing a reliable supply of clean electricity even when wind and solar output is low for extended periods.
Budget Thuis CEO Annemarie Buitelaar emphasized that the partnership is a strategic move to provide customers with more predictable and affordable energy. By capturing abundant renewable electricity and discharging it during periods of high demand, the system helps prevent the curtailment of clean power. This deployment follows successful grid-connected pilot projects conducted by Ore Energy in Delft and at an EDF site in France, where the technology demonstrated its ability to store and discharge energy for up to four days. The companies view this collaboration as a vital step toward decarbonizing the European power grid.