The University of Minnesota Morris will install a 1-MW/6-MWh zinc energy storage system on its campus. The project is funded by a grant from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Natural Resources (LCCMR) and will use the Eos Z3 system from long-duration energy storage company Eos.

“It is important to us that we test battery technologies that are well suited to our northern climate without requiring extensive thermal management,” said Bryan Herrmann, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Facilities at UMN Morris.

The battery is expected to be commissioned on the university’s campus in 2027, with Burns & McDonnell providing engineering support for the installation.

“The UMN Morris project brings Z3 into a practical operating environment where it can support grid reliability, campus energy goals, and applied research. It is a strong example of how commercially available zinc-based storage can help meet real operational needs,” said Nathan Kroeker, Eos Chief Commercial Officer.

Otter Tail Power will own and operate the Z3 system, which will connect directly to the utility’s electrical system. Because the installation will become part of Otter Tail Power’s infrastructure, the project underwent review by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which approved the investment in March 2026. The university will have dedicated research periods throughout the project’s anticipated 20-year lifespan to study the battery’s performance under different operating scenarios. In addition, OATI’s GridMind software will manage and optimize the battery’s operation, including when it charges and discharges based on grid conditions and utility needs.

The battery will join a broad portfolio of energy technologies already operating on campus, including lithium-ion battery storage, thermal energy storage, wind turbines, solar arrays and an agrivoltaics installation. UMN Morris also serves as a useful testing ground for emerging energy technologies because, from an energy perspective, the campus functions much like a small community. With nearly 1 million ft 2 of building space, approximately 1,500 people on campus each day, and a mix of residential, academic and operational energy needs, the campus has a complex and steady electricity demand.

Studying the battery in this environment will allow researchers and utility partners to better understand its performance in day-to-day operation and explore how similar long-duration energy storage systems could support small communities across Minnesota.

News item from UMN Morris