Startup antora energy, financed by Bill Gates, is preparing to launch a containerized modular thermal battery. It is designed to store renewable energy at the minimum cost and its effective release in the form of electricity or heat for industrial processes.
The main goal is the decarbonization of heavy industry, given the changeable nature of renewable energy. If factories can operate around the clock on fuel fuel, then what to do when the sun does not shine?
Rondo previously offered “brick toasters” as a solution – the use of cheap renewable energy to heat clay bricks. This energy can then be restored at a cost five times cheaper than chemical batteries, reaching temperatures up to 1.500 ° C.
Antora is sure that its carbon system can be even more economical. It is able to reach temperatures more than 2.000 ° C, which makes it attractive to industries such as steel production. In addition, energy can be restored in the form of electricity using super-efficient thermal photovoltaic panels.
As the co-founder and general director of the company Andrew Ponkk explained, due to the low cost and high energy density, carbon blocks are easily transported, while having a small size at the installation site.
Antora system uses thermal radiation of its carbon blocks. If the client needs heat, the system heats pipes with steam or other process liquid. If the client needs electricity, Antora can convert heat for this purpose.
Antora reported mit News, which has already opened production for these thermal photographic elements – The largest in the world. It is expected that the installations of carbon batteries will begin to be commissioned from about 2025, and the company plans to active scaling.
Carbon-based heat batteries are contained, which allows them to assemble them at the central factory and easily deliver to the installation site.