Google Supports Energy Dome's Groundbreaking CO2 Battery Advancement for Sustainable Energy Storage
Google, one of the world's largest corporate buyers of renewable energy, has teamed up with Italian startup Energy Dome to test and deploy a CO2-based battery for long-duration energy storage. This partnership is a significant step towards Google's goal of running all its data centers and campuses on 24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE) by 2030.
The Sardinia project, set to be the first commercial deployment of a CO2 battery worldwide, will be Energy Dome's first utility-scale project. This innovative technology stores electricity by compressing and liquefying CO2 when excess electricity (from solar or wind) is available, and later expands it to generate power when needed. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which store energy chemically, the CO2 battery stores energy thermodynamically.
Google's data centers consume massive amounts of electricity, roughly 1.3 terawatt-hours annually in the U.S. alone. Without reliable clean energy storage, these facilities risk falling back on fossil power during grid shortages or renewables downtime. The CO2 battery could fill a critical gap, providing long-duration storage that fills the gap that shorter-duration lithium-ion batteries cannot cover, helping to smooth renewable energy intermittency and enabling consistent use of clean power around the clock.
The system in Sardinia will have 20 MW of power and 200 MWh of storage, enough to power tens of thousands of homes for 10 hours. If successful, the technology could be used across other Google data centers globally.
The CO2 battery offers a cheap and efficient way to fill energy supply gaps, particularly for grids using renewable power sources. Other energy companies and utilities are watching closely, as many are also seeking cost-effective long-duration storage options.
Google aims to make the technology bankable and ready for global markets. The partnership between Google and Energy Dome aligns with Google's wider climate strategy, which includes investing in emerging technologies, optimizing data center efficiency, and using advanced AI to predict and manage energy loads. If successful, the CO2 battery could support Google's goal of achieving 24/7 CFE and contribute to a broader shift towards deeper integration of renewable energy, long-duration storage, and corporate climate responsibility.
Once operational, Google and Energy Dome will study performance data, costs, and scalability. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
References:
- Energy Dome
- Google's 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Goal
- How a CO2 Battery Stores Energy
- The CO2 Battery Could Enable Google's 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Goal
- Google's collaboration with Energy Dome, an Italian startup, focuses on clean energy through the testing and deployment of a CO2-based battery for long-duration energy storage, aligning with Google's goal of running all data centers and campuses on 24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE) by 2030.
- This utility-scale project in Sardinia, set to be the first commercial deployment of a CO2 battery worldwide, will store electricity thermodynamically by compressing and liquefying CO2, providing a potential solution for Google's data centers that consume massive amounts of electricity.
- The CO2 battery offers a cost-efficient and innovative method to fill energy supply gaps, particularly for grids using renewable power sources, and could help Google's data centers overcome issues with renewables downtime or grid shortages.
- With 20 MW of power and 200 MWh of storage in Sardinia, the CO2 battery could power tens of thousands of homes for 10 hours. If successful, Google plans to expand its use across other data centers globally.
- The success of the CO2 battery technology could support a broader shift towards the integration of renewable energy, long-duration storage, and corporate climate responsibility, contributing to the fight against climate-change and promoting the renewable-energy industry.
- Google, being one of the world's largest corporate buyers of renewable energy, is actively investing in climate tech, environmental-science, finance, and business solutions to optimize data center efficiency, predict and manage energy loads using advanced AI, and contribute to the development of the technology industry.
