🚀 Industry milestone! The world’s largest industrial heat battery is now RUNNING. At Rondo Energy, we just announced this unit: a 100 MWh Rondo Heat Battery, delivering steam 24-hours per day, powered entirely by solar. It has completed construction, commissioning and has been operating for >2 months and counting, fully meeting all customer contract specifications. Yesterday, Rondo was a company with a stellar concept, pilot in operation, and a number of announced projects in delivery. Today, we have proven the technology at full commercial scale. Headline is this is a solution for industrial plants to switch from gas to off-peak electricity, as a CHEAPER and zero-carbon, source of energy for their heat. The technology is a triple win: - Industrials can switch to cheaper energy for their heat, and decimate carbon emissions at the same time. - Rondo Heat Batteries add massive demand side flexibility to the power system. Exactly what the system needs to keep deploying renewables at pace. - A solution to advance electrification even in the face of congested grids, as flexible load uses existing networks when they are underutilized, during off-peak times. This also means better utilization of networks, so cheaper network fees for all network users. Industrial decarbonization is here. And it cuts cost. press release: https://lnkd.in/eCXSrhdK early coverage: https://lnkd.in/esJb6QmK
Mark Meldrum it is nice to see some large-scale HT TES plant going into operation. After Kyoto and Rondo there will be Kraftblock next in row to demonstrate their technology at relevant scale. Do operate this plant at > 1000 degC? I know your storage material itself can withstand > 1000 degC but usually "normal off-the-shelf heating elements" are limited to approx. 800 degC.
Congratulations to the Rondo Energy team. This is a perfect example of what I've been discussing: a fundamental shift in thinking, not just an incremental gain. You're proving that the most transformative decarbonization solutions are also the ones that make the most economic sense. Moving from gas to cheaper, off-peak solar is the kind of systems-level change we need to see more of.
Congratulations on this historic milestone Mark Meldrum and RONDO! Reaching full commercial scale with the first 100 MWh Rondo Heat Battery is a remarkable achievement. It is inspiring to see how a technology based on concepts that are exceptionally simple in principle – yet highly challenging to implement – has now been proven to perform flawlessly in real-world industrial conditions. This accomplishment not only validates the vision behind Rondo Energy but also sets a precedent for how industries can transition from gas to off-peak electricity with a cost-effective, zero-carbon heat source. By delivering continuous steam powered entirely by solar energy, you have demonstrated the potential to transform industrial energy use on a large scale. Such innovation represents more than just technological success – it’s a breakthrough in industrial decarbonization that simultaneously reduces operational costs, increases grid flexibility, and accelerates the deployment of renewables. As you said, a true triple win for the industry, the energy system, and the environment. Once again, congratulations for making history and turning an extraordinary vision into reality! The world needs more of this!
That’s terrific! I’m guessing 1,000°C covers a large part of the need for industrial heat. Does Rondo Energy plan on deploying higher temperature heat batteries as well?
Awesome! What can you share regarding levelized cost comparison with gas? How much cheaper?
John Bolduc
2d
I’m curious if there is a story as to why this is located at an oil facility? The press release indicated it is at Holmes Western Oil. Wondering why they chose solar and heat storage.
Congratulations! What is the application? Can you provide more details on the function, outputs, temperatures and outcomes?
Huge milestone for industrial decarbonization! Proving this at full commercial scale shows clean heat isn’t just possible — it’s practical, cost-effective, and ready to transform heavy industry.
Chemical process development expert. Antidote to marketing #hopium . Tireless advocate for a fossil fuel-free future.
6dIndustrial heat storage can take unsteady but cheap electricity and produce steady industrial heat. It's still a winner, though the continued fall in LFP cell prices eat a little more of its potential lunch every day