Google Supports Energy Dome's Groundbreaking CO2 Battery Innovation for Sustainable Energy Storage
Google Partners with Energy Dome to Test CO2 Battery for Long-Duration Energy Storage
Google has partnered with Energy Dome, an Italian startup, to test and deploy a CO2-based battery for long-duration energy storage. This innovative technology could be a significant step forward in achieving Google's goal of 24/7 carbon-free energy.
The CO2 battery is a promising, cost-effective, and scalable long-duration storage system. It stores energy by compressing CO2 into a liquid and releases it by expanding it back to gas to generate power, supporting the transition to renewable energy grids with low carbon emissions.
Energy Dome's design allows users to store energy for 10 to 24 hours, much longer than regular lithium-ion batteries. The system uses mature industrial components like steel tanks and compressors, making it quicker and cheaper to build than other long-duration storage technologies. It offers a round-trip efficiency around 75%, competitive with lithium-ion but for much longer storage times.
The partnership reflects a broader shift toward deeper integration of renewable energy, long-duration storage, and corporate climate responsibility. Google is one of the world's largest corporate buyers of renewable energy and requires more than just solar and wind power for its 24/7 carbon-free goal.
The Sardinia project, where the first utility-scale CO2 battery installation will be built, will be one of the first commercial deployments of a CO2 battery anywhere in the world. Once operational, Google and Energy Dome will study performance data, costs, and scalability. If successful, the technology could be used across other Google data centers globally.
Energy Dome is currently building its first utility-scale project with the goal of making the technology bankable and ready for global markets. The company plans to expand into the U.S., where tax incentives could make new projects more attractive.
Other energy companies and utilities are watching closely, as many are also seeking cost-effective long-duration storage options. If the CO2 battery proves successful, it could support Google's plans to run all its data centers and campuses on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030, and potentially revolutionise the energy storage industry.
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