Google has recently signed a global business collaboration agreement with the Milan-based startup Energy Dome, marking its first foray into long-duration energy storage (LDES) technology to support the electric grid needed for its global operations. This partnership represents another significant stride for Google in clean energy technology, aiding its ambitious vision to power itself with renewable energy 24/7 by 2030.
The unique aspect of the carbon dioxide battery technology developed by Energy Dome lies in its ability to continuously store and output electricity for 8 to 24 hours, far surpassing the mere 4-hour storage limitation of traditional lithium-ion batteries. This technology utilizes a dome structure to store carbon dioxide, and when renewable energy production is plentiful, it uses electricity to compress the carbon dioxide from gas to liquid. Then, when the demand on the grid increases, the liquid carbon dioxide can be converted back into gas under pressure, driving a turbine to generate electricity and feed clean power back into the grid.
This technology has successfully signed multiple commercial contracts in locations such as Italy, the United States, and India, showcasing its business viability. Since its launch, Energy Dome’s system has provided over three years of electricity to the Italian power grid and features a fully operational commercial facility capable of delivering 20MW-200MWh.
Google’s strategic investments reveal its long-term vision. The company believes that Energy Dome’s technology has greater commercial potential than other clean energy technologies, capable of enhancing the flexibility and stability of power systems in the short term. Google plans to promote the sustainable scaling and cost optimization of this revolutionary technology by supporting multiple global business projects.
In contrast, traditional energy storage technologies like lithium-ion batteries typically can only store and release power over a period of 4 hours. While this is crucial for managing short-term fluctuations in renewable energy, it falls short of meeting the demand for long-term energy storage. Google’s support has previously aided power grids in places like Belgium and Nevada in meeting their peak electricity demands.
According to research by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the long-term energy storage market potential is quite remarkable. Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) technology can effectively integrate more renewable energy into power systems, further enhancing the flexibility and reliability of the grid. The LDES committee anticipates that by 2040, up to 8 terawatts (TW) of LDES technology will be deployed, saving the global economy $540 billion annually, largely thanks to its improvements to grid performance.
