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With an Innovative Technology That Uses Carbon Dioxide in a Closed Loop, Google and Energy Dome Want to Revolutionize Clean Energy Storage and Stabilize Electric Grids Around the World.
Google announced a partnership with the Italian company Energy Dome to deploy an innovative long-duration energy storage (LDES) technology that uses carbon dioxide (CO₂) as its central element. The goal is to address one of the biggest challenges of renewable sources — the intermittency in electricity generation — and make grids more stable and reliable worldwide.
The technology developed by Energy Dome, called the CO₂ battery, is capable of storing large amounts of clean electricity for up to 24 hours. According to Google, this is a strategic step not only for the company to achieve its sustainability goals but also to accelerate the global energy transition.
How Does the Giant CO₂ Battery Work?
Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries that store electricity directly, Energy Dome’s system uses carbon dioxide itself as the storage medium. The technology operates in closed and safe cycles:
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- When there is excess energy on the electric grid, the CO₂ stored in the dome of the installation is compressed into a liquid state and stored in pressurized tanks.
- When the grid needs electricity, the liquid is heated and converted back into gas. This expansion drives a turbine that generates electricity, in a process similar to steam released from a pressure cooker.
- The gas is returned to the dome, ready to start a new cycle.
The entire process occurs without emitting gases into the atmosphere and with high energy efficiency. According to Google, the system can provide stable energy for up to an entire day, which is essential for dealing with fluctuations in solar and wind production.
Why Is This Technology Important?
The main advantage lies in the ability to store clean energy at a large scale more cheaply and for longer than lithium-ion batteries, which typically have a lifespan of just a few hours.
Additionally, CO₂ is one of the most abundant and inexpensive gases on the planet, and its cyclical use in the system reduces operational costs and environmental impacts. This paves the way for countries and companies to accelerate the integration of renewable sources, such as solar and wind energy, without compromising the stability of electric grids.
“The LDES, which Energy Dome leads with its CO₂ battery, has the potential to be commercialized much faster than some of the other advanced clean energy technologies in our portfolio,” Google stated in a release.
Energy Dome Is Already Operating in Italy
The technology has already been validated in a commercial facility of 20 MW-200 MWh in Italy, capable of providing electricity to thousands of homes. Google believes the partnership will help to scale the system globally, enabling new plants to be built quickly in strategic regions.
Although the implementation details have not been disclosed, the tech giant confirmed that it made a direct investment in Energy Dome, strengthening the development of the Italian company.
“Google is committed to powering our operations with clean energy, and Energy Dome’s proven, scalable long-duration energy storage solution can help us achieve rapid progress,” said Maud Texier, Google’s EMEA Energy Director.
Global Impact and Next Steps
The adoption of the giant CO₂ battery could transform the global electricity matrix, especially in countries looking to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. In addition to sustaining the expansion of renewable energies, the technology enhances the resilience of grids against supply drops and generation fluctuations.
With the expansion of solar and wind power plants, energy storage has gained prominence to ensure continuous electricity during low production periods. Google aims to use the technology not only to power its data centers but also to provide solutions that strengthen communities in different parts of the world.
There is an expectation that the partnership with Energy Dome will accelerate the energy transition and pave the way for more countries to achieve their decarbonization goals by 2030.
Why Is This Technology So Important?
- Prolonged Storage: provides electricity for up to 24 hours;
- Lower Cost: uses carbon dioxide in a closed loop;
- Proven Scalability: there is already a commercial plant in operation;
- Less Dependence on Lithium: an alternative for regions with high conventional battery costs;
- Integration with Renewables: ensures stability to electric grids.
Como funciona o sistema, já que para o co2 passar ao estado líquido precisa passar por uma temperatura quase criogênica? E o gasto em energia para que isto aconteça????