A new battery stores wind power

WORTHINGTON, Minn., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- U.S.-based Xcel Energy and Minwind Energy are testing a new wind-to-battery technology.

The battery is the size of two tractor trailers, weighs 80 tons and is the first of its kind to be deployed in the United States, Minnesota newspaper the Daily Globe reported.

The battery will be tested at the Minwind Energy wind farm at Beaver Creek in Minnesota.

It is designed to capture and store power produced by the 11.5-megawatt wind farm. The battery can hold 1 megawatt of wind power, estimated to be enough to power 500 homes for seven hours.

By storing power, utilities will not have to run their power plants as often. Xcel and Minwind said battery storage will make renewable energy more financially viable.