Thermal Batteries: A Cheaper, Scalable Alternative to Lithium-Ion for Energy Storage
Thermal batteries are emerging as a game-changing solution for renewable energy storage, offering a cost-effective and scalable alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. These systems have the potential to revolutionize how industries store and utilize renewable energy.
“Intermittent wind and solar power are now the cheapest forms of energy in human history, and energy storage technologies are critical to harnessing this,” said John O’Donnell, founder and chief innovation officer of Rondo Energy. “Heat batteries are a fundamentally new way of storing energy at a fraction of the cost.”
How Thermal Batteries Work
Unlike lithium-ion batteries that store energy as electricity, thermal batteries convert excess electricity into heat, stored in materials like bricks or graphite. These materials can reach extreme temperatures, often exceeding 3,000°F.
When energy is needed, the stored heat is released, making thermal batteries particularly suitable for energy-intensive industrial processes such as steel, cement, and chemical manufacturing.
“What a thermal battery does is allow you to soak up clean, inexpensive electrons from wind and solar, store them as heat, and deliver that energy later to industrial customers,” explained Justin Briggs, COO of Antora Energy.
Cost and Environmental Benefits
Thermal batteries stand out for their affordability and efficiency. For example, Rondo Energy’s systems use simple materials like clay bricks, which are far cheaper and more energy-dense than lithium-ion batteries.
“A pound of brick stores more energy than a pound of lithium-ion battery, at less than 10% of the cost,” O’Donnell noted.
Rondo Energy has already deployed its first commercial thermal battery at Calgren Renewable Fuels in California’s Central Valley. The system stores solar energy during the day and delivers high-temperature heat continuously, around the clock.
By scaling production to 90 gigawatt-hours annually by 2027, Rondo Energy estimates its technology could prevent 12 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. This impact is comparable to removing 4 million gas-powered cars from the roads.
Challenges Ahead
Despite their promise, thermal batteries face significant challenges. High upfront costs and a lack of awareness among industrial users remain key obstacles to broader adoption.
“The biggest hurdle is educating the market that this technology is available,” O’Donnell said.
However, with increasing demand for clean and cost-effective energy storage, thermal batteries are well-positioned to play a major role in reducing industrial carbon footprints and supporting the transition to renewable energy.
