CO2 battery

[begreen]

Google is partnering with EnergyDome in the deployment of this alternative to chemical batteries in solar installations. The goal is to provide 24/7 carbon-free energy. It looks like a simple, relatively low-tech and economical process based on globally available resources. The first 20 MW / 200 MWh Energy Storage project is now operational on Sardinia with future projects planned for India and the US.

CO2 Battery - Energy Dome

energydome.com

 

[woodgeek]

Here is a Popular Mechanics article (from 2024):

A Giant Energy Dome Is Daringly Turning Carbon Dioxide Into Power

It’s a stunning turn for gaseous enemy No. 1.

www.popularmechanics.com

And a MIT Tech Review (from 2022):

This company wants to use carbon dioxide to store renewable power on the grid

Energy Dome is starting up a trial plant to store energy in compressed gas, but the engineering challenges might not be so simple to tackle.

www.technologyreview.com

They state the cost is ~$200/kWh. This is not great compared to near future battery tech, but perhaps it can be improved with learning curve? The parts are 'off the shelf'.

I'm more optimistic that Google is into it... they are more sensible than that guy that rhymes with Gill Bates.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Google is partnering with EnergyDome in the deployment of this alternative to chemical batteries in solar installations. The goal is to provide 24/7 carbon-free energy. It looks like a simple, relatively low-tech and economical process based on globally available resources. The first 20 MW / 200 MWh Energy Storage project is now operational on Sardinia with future projects planned for India and the US.

CO2 Battery - Energy Dome

energydome.com

I like the idea. It would create spinning generation which can supply the grid when there is no sun or wind. Nuclear would be
better if they can make progress on that and get the costs down. The CO2 system sounds pretty safe. CO2 systems are used to put out fires.

 

[woodgeek]

I sent a link to the dude who runs our ChemE senior design course. He might use it as a design problem in the course... students would design a plant, and try to arrive at a cost/kWh storage figure.

I think the CO2 balloon is HUGE. Like Hindenburg huge. So, basically, you build a (cheap) rigid tent the size of an aircraft hangar, and have an inflatable balloon for the CO2 that you can inflate and deflate inside. My guess is that that is a major capital and maintenance cost.

I would think that you could run the gas side at slightly elevated pressure (like a few bars) without much loss in kWh/ton CO2, and maybe use a geological reservoir for the low pressure side (like a cave or a salt dome). The problem I see with that is that the CO2 probably want to be kept very pure/dry so as to not gunk up the machinery with ice? And free geological reservoirs are rare.

 

[begreen]

I haven't read of geologic storage as an option for this company, but perhaps a big oil company like Chevron or Exxon is exploring that option. They have more mappings of existing salt domes and depleted gas fields. However, I think they are more interested in CO2 sequestration than as a grid power buffer.

 

[michaelinwonder]

I believe that home- or community-based energy generation is the future. My 6.5 KW solar array supplies my electrical needs most of the year, and even generates a surplus that goes into the local grid. You might even possibly be using some of the electrons my system is pushing into the wires right now. Who knows where it ends up after my solar panels generate it from sunshine?

The problem is distribution of surplus energy to distant locations where it is needed.

Maybe if we stop trying to reinvent the wheel, and work together across borders and cultures, we could come up with something worthwhile.

 

[Whitenuckler]

I believe that home- or community-based energy generation is the future. My 6.5 KW solar array supplies my electrical needs most of the year, and even generates a surplus that goes into the local grid. You might even possibly be using some of the electrons my system is pushing into the wires right now. Who knows where it ends up after my solar panels generate it from sunshine?

The problem is distribution of surplus energy to distant locations where it is needed.

Maybe if we stop trying to reinvent the wheel, and work together across borders and cultures, we could come up with something worthwhile.

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I wonder if these supercapacitors are any good. They work on DC, so you would think it would match solar.