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Google Pioneers Clean Energy Data Center In Minnesota With Revolutionary Iron-Air Battery Technology

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 25, 2026

Google is set to radically transform Minnesota’s energy landscape with its first data center in the state. Strategically located in Pine Island, just an hour southeast of Minneapolis, the facility will be powered by an impressive 1.9 gigawatts of clean energy, including a groundbreaking 300-megawatt iron‐air battery developed by startup Form Energy.

Unprecedented Energy Infrastructure

The project, executed in collaboration with Xcel Energy, will integrate 1.4 gigawatts of wind and 200 megawatts of solar power to sustainably support operations. The centerpiece is Form Energy’s battery, engineered to deliver power at its rated capacity for 100 hours. Boasting an awe-inspiring 30 gigawatt-hours storage capacity, this will be the world’s largest battery, ensuring prolonged clean energy availability and enhancing grid stability during periods of intermittent renewable generation.

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Innovative Iron-Air Battery Technology

Form Energy’s approach differs from conventional lithium-ion systems by using iron-air chemistry. The process relies on the oxidation of iron to generate electricity, while charging reverses the reaction by converting rust back into metallic iron and releasing oxygen. Although iron-air batteries operate at lower efficiency rates than lithium-ion alternatives, they offer a significant cost advantage. The company estimates storage costs at roughly $20 per kilowatt-hour, positioning the technology as a practical option for long-duration storage.

Strategic Utility And Regulatory Innovation

Google is also introducing a new utility fee structure in Minnesota designed to accelerate clean energy deployment. The model, often described as a clean transition tariff, allows utilities to adopt emerging renewable technologies while maintaining regulatory compliance and limiting cost impacts on consumers. A similar framework was previously tested in Nevada through cooperation with geothermal energy developer Fervo.

Partnerships And Future Prospects

The project includes collaboration with Great River Energy, which will deploy Form Energy’s first battery installation in Minnesota. That system is expected to store 150 megawatt-hours and deliver up to 1.5 megawatts of power to the grid over a 100-hour duration. Form Energy, which has raised approximately $1.4 billion and operates manufacturing facilities in West Virginia, is positioning itself as a key player in long-duration storage.

Google’s Minnesota data center reflects a broader shift among large technology companies toward pairing renewable generation with large-scale storage. The project aims to strengthen grid reliability while supporting long-term clean energy targets.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus Tax-To-GDP Ratio Rises To 36.3% In 2025

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 30, 2026

Cyprus’ tax-to-GDP ratio edged up to 36.3% in 2025, from 36% in 2024, remaining below the European Union and euro area averages, according to Eurostat.

Across the EU, the ratio rose to 40.7% from 40.2%, while the euro area average increased to 41.3% from 40.7%.

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EU Tax Revenues Reach €7.68 Trillion

The tax-to-GDP ratio measures revenue from taxes and net social contributions as a share of gross domestic product. It provides an indication of public revenue relative to the size of an economy, although national tax systems and social contribution rules vary.

EU governments collected €7.68 trillion in taxes and social contributions in 2025, an increase of €401 billion compared with the previous year.

France Records Highest Ratio

France had the EU’s highest tax-to-GDP ratio at 46%, followed by Belgium at 44.7%, Denmark at 44.3% and Austria at 43.9%.

At the other end of the scale, Ireland recorded the lowest ratio at 22.7%. Romania followed at 29.3%, Malta at 30.3% and Bulgaria at 30.6%.

Ratios Increase In 19 Member States

The tax-to-GDP ratio rose in 19 EU countries in 2025. Germany recorded the largest increase, climbing from 40.3% to 41.4%. Malta’s ratio rose from 29.3% to 30.3%, while Spain’s increased from 37.2% to 38.1%.

Eight member states recorded declines. Sweden saw the largest fall, from 41.8% to 41.2%, followed by Latvia, where the ratio dropped from 34.9% to 34.2%.

Cyprus’ 0.3-percentage-point increase was more modest than some of the changes elsewhere in the bloc. Its ratio nevertheless rose alongside the EU and euro area averages, reflecting a broader increase in tax and social contribution revenue relative to economic output.