Google backs CO2 battery to store excess energy from wind, solar

Google has partnered with Italian startup Energy Dome to develop and deploy a novel CO₂ Battery system designed to store excess energy generated from wind and solar power. This technology captures carbon dioxide in a sealed, dome-shaped container, compressing it into a liquid using surplus renewable energy. When electricity is needed, the liquid CO₂ is expanded back into gas, driving a turbine to generate power. The system can supply electricity for 8 to 24 hours, addressing the intermittency of renewable sources and helping stabilize power grids by providing rotational inertia similar to traditional fossil fuel plants. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, the CO₂ Battery uses common industrial materials without releasing emissions, potentially reducing costs and supply chain issues. Energy Dome has already tested a full-scale commercial plant in Italy with a capacity of 20 megawatts and 200 megawatt-hours of storage. Google aims to leverage this technology to power its data centers and AI operations, which require a steady and reliable energy supply. The partnership plans to expand projects in Italy