Nebraska public power utility Lincoln Electric System (LES) has energised its first utility-scale battery energy storage system, a milestone project that puts a 3-megawatt, four-hour zinc-based battery at the heart of its downtown Community Microgrid. LES leaders cut the ribbon on July 17, 2026, alongside project partners WATTMORE, Bridge Renewables and Eos Energy.
Zinc chemistry for long-duration storage in downtown Lincoln
The battery — installed at LES' S 2nd and N Streets substation inside the LES Community Microgrid — will store electricity when demand and prices are low and dispatch it back to the grid when they climb. LES said the system will reduce peak demand, provide operational flexibility and help maximise the value of renewable generation on the local system.
The chemistry is Eos Energy Enterprises' Z3 zinc-based aqueous technology, produced in the United States and designed to be non-flammable — an important selling point for a site sitting inside a dense urban microgrid that also serves government, public-safety and community facilities.
Community Microgrid gets a ~10% capacity boost
LES said the battery adds roughly 10% to the existing supply capability of its Community Microgrid, an initiative built to keep critical public services running during extended outages, including those caused by major disruptive events. WATTMORE and Eos are set to complete commissioning activities in the coming weeks before moving to full commercial operation.
"Battery storage is a core part of utility infrastructure," said Nathan Kroeker, chief commercial officer of Eos. "The deployment of Eos' Z3 zinc-based technology at LES shows how long-duration storage can help utilities strengthen reliability, improve system flexibility and support critical community assets with a safe, American-made energy storage solution."
Non-lithium wins one at utility scale
The LES commissioning is one of the higher-profile non-lithium wins to date for a U.S. public power utility, in a segment where zinc, flow batteries and other long-duration chemistries have competed to break out of demonstration status. It follows moves such as Eos' Golden Dome missile-defence deal earlier this month and adds a purely commercial utility deployment to Eos' order book.
LES CEO Emeka Anyanwu framed the launch as validation of the utility's Powering LES Forward strategic plan, saying the project would help LES "continue delivering safe, resilient and affordable energy while building a stronger and more sustainable future for our community."
Reporting based on coverage from the American Public Power Association, Utility Dive and Solar Power World.