New Carbon "Heat Batteries" Aim To Decarbonize US Industries

The article discusses recent advancements in long duration energy storage technologies aimed at decarbonizing US industries and enhancing renewable energy integration. Traditional lithium-ion batteries have facilitated the growth of wind and solar power on the grid, but to achieve higher renewable energy penetration and decarbonize industrial processes, more powerful and longer-lasting storage solutions are needed. Currently, pumped hydro dominates long duration storage in the US, but its expansion is limited by water resource availability. Consequently, research has focused on alternative methods such as thermal storage, which stores energy as heat in mediums like molten salt. The US Department of Energy’s DAYS (Duration Addition to electricitY Storage) initiative, launched in 2018, targets storage systems capable of 10+ hours of energy retention, beyond lithium-ion capabilities. One promising technology supported by the DAYS program is Antora Energy’s carbon-based “heat battery,” which stores excess renewable electricity by heating solid carbon blocks to high temperatures (up to 1,800°C). This stored heat can