Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding also includes $9 million for Energy Storage Research at NREL in Golden
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet welcomed $44 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support a long duration energy storage (LDES) project in Pueblo, Colorado, and two research projects at Colorado’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). In Pueblo, Xcel Energy, in partnership with Form Energy, will receive $35 million to build a new LDES system at the retiring Comanche coal-fired power plant. In Golden, Colorado, NREL will receive $9 million for two lab research projects to install and test LDES projects. This funding was made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is part of a $325 investment from DOE to support LDES projects in 15 states.
“Flexible energy storage is a new, innovative system that’s less expensive, more durable, and requires fewer critical minerals, ensuring we have a reliable grid system even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing,” said Hickenlooper. “These investments from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are a big deal and the City of Pueblo and NREL are leading the way!”
“Energy communities like Pueblo have helped power the nation for decades, and supporting them must be central to our transition to a clean energy economy,” said Bennet. “This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help Colorado continue to lead in deploying innovative, clean energy solutions while investing in Pueblo’s local economy and workers to help ensure they can thrive into the future.”
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