April 10, 2025: Energy storage firm XL Batteries has commissioned a pilot commercial organic flow battery project in Texas.

The firm said on April 8 that the project, in partnership with bulk liquids and gases storage services business Stolthaven Terminals, marks the first deployment of its long-duration energy storage technology and said it “confirms” its commercial viability.

XL said its technology combines a patented organic electrolyte molecule with a flow battery architecture that is scalable to serve a range of users, including utilities and industry.

Founded in 2019 by scientists working on the chemistry at Columbia University, XL plans to use data from the pilot to help the development and design of future such projects, providing it said with a “low-cost, direct path to large-scale commercial viability”.

Tom Sisto, XL’s CEO and co-founder, said the project will support Stolthaven’s operations for the next 20 years.

For Stolthaven the project is expected to generate financial and operational benefits, including the potential to provide energy storage near its facilities and provide shore power to ships calling at its terminals in the future.

Stolthaven president Guy Bessant said: “Long-term energy storage solutions are critical for the global energy transition. XL shares our vision to use innovation, knowledge sharing and collaboration to develop energy solutions for the future.”