- Updated: February 24, 2026
- 2 min read
Google Powers New Minnesota Data Center with 1.9 GW Clean‑Energy Deal and 100‑Hour Battery
Google is set to launch a state‑of‑the‑art data center on Pine Island, Minnesota, backed by a groundbreaking 1.9 GW clean‑energy package. The deal, struck with Xcel Energy, pairs 1.4 GW of wind power and 200 MW of solar generation with a pioneering 300 MW iron‑air battery from Form Energy that can store energy for up to 100 hours.
By integrating this long‑duration storage, the facility will be able to run entirely on renewable electricity, even when wind and solar output dip. The iron‑air technology, which stores energy in rust‑like iron oxide, promises lower costs per megawatt‑hour compared with traditional lithium‑ion solutions, making the project a potential blueprint for future green data centers.
Google’s partnership with Xcel Energy includes a novel “clean‑transition tariff” that guarantees the data center access to 100 % carbon‑free power while providing price stability for both parties. The agreement also supports regional grid resilience, as the massive battery can supply emergency power during outages or peak demand periods.
Industry analysts view the initiative as a major step toward decarbonizing the tech sector. With data centers accounting for a growing share of global electricity use, Google’s commitment to renewable energy and long‑duration storage could accelerate similar projects worldwide.
Read the original story on TechCrunch. For more on Google’s sustainability moves, see our related coverage: Google’s Minnesota Data Center and Clean‑Energy Innovations in Tech.
Andrii Bidochko
CTO UBOS
Andrii Bidochko is an AI entrepreneur and researcher focused on AI agents, reinforcement learning, and autonomous systems. He writes about the technologies shaping the future of machine intelligence, from frontier models and agent architectures to real-world AI applications.