Experimental battery to be tested by power utilities

New York Times : Many power utilities have trouble providing the amount of electricity needed during peak demand periods. The result is a growing number of brownouts or intentional power cuts to some areas. To stagger the grid load, companies are working to develop local energy storage devices. However, many of them require toxic chemicals or are very expensive. Now, several utilities in the US and Europe are signing on to test a new battery system designed by Eos Energy Storage. The company estimates that its zinc-based battery, which is half the size of a standard refrigerator, can store energy for just $160 per kilowatt-hour. At local power substations, such a battery would be charged during off-peak hours to provide extra energy during periods of high demand. The batteries could also be useful for integrating intermittent energy sources, such as solar and wind.