Thermal Energy Storage Bricks
The Problem
The biggest hurdle to a 100% renewable grid is energy storage. Lithium-ion batteries are excellent for short-term storage but are expensive, rely on scarce minerals, and degrade over time. In industrial heat applications—which account for massive global energy use—converting electricity back and forth into batteries is incredibly inefficient. We need a way to store clean energy that is low-cost, long-duration, and uses abundant materials.
The Solution
"The 'BrickBattery' system uses specialized, high-density ceramic firebricks to store electricity as heat. During times of high solar or wind production, excess electricity is used to heat these bricks to temperatures over 1500°C within an insulated container. The energy can be stored with very low loss for days or even weeks. When power is needed, the heat is extracted either as high-grade steam for industrial processes or passed through a turbine to generate electricity."
Technical Details
Discovery Hub
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