US utility Dominion Energy plans to build 3.5GW of battery energy storage systems (BESS) over the next 20 years according to its recently filed integrated resource plan (IRP).

Virginia, US Governor Abigail Spanberger has signed legislation authorising the state to target  a total of 20.78GW of energy storage capacity.

Dominion Energy will pilot the deployment of a novel metal-hydrogen battery, making it the latest new non-lithium technology the US utility is trying out.

Dominion Energy Virginia has signed off on four battery storage pilot projects to help open avenues for additional energy storage technology needed to support the company’s boost in renewables and to improve grid reliability.