Thermal batteries could transform renewable energy storage and provide a cheaper and scalable alternative to lithium-ion technology.
John O’Donnell said: “Intermittent wind and solar are becoming the cheapest forms of energy known to man, and energy storage of all kinds is now being used to harness this energy to power transport and power grids. Development. “Thermal batteries are a new way to store energy at a fraction of the cost. ”
Thermal batteries store excess electricity as heat in materials such as bricks or graphite, which can reach temperatures of more than 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The stored heat can be released when needed, making thermal batteries ideal for steel, cement and chemical manufacturing
“What thermal batteries do is allow you to take clean, cheap electrons from wind and solar energy, store them as heat, and then deliver that energy to industrial customers,” said Justin Briggs, chief operating officer of Antora Energy.
Rondo Energy is one of the leaders in this field. The company built the first commercial thermal cell at Carl Glenn Renewable Fuels in California’s Central Valley.
The system stores solar energy during the day and provides high-temperature heat 24/7.
“We use unrefined raw materials, such as bricks made from clay,” O’Donnell said. “A pound of bricks stores more energy than a pound of lithium-ion batteries for less than 10% the cost.”
By 2027, Rondo Energy plans to expand production to 90 GWh per year, a scale that will reduce CO2 emissions by 12 million tons per year. According to the company, this is equivalent to removing 4 million gas-powered vehicles.
Despite their promise, thermal batteries still face obstacles, including high upfront investments and a lack of familiarity among industrial users.
“The biggest hurdle is getting the market to know that this technology is available,” O’Donnell said.
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