Germany's innovative approach to sustainable energy is making headlines with the introduction of heated bricks as a replacement for gas-fired industrial boilers. Rondo Energy and Covestro have joined forces to develop an industrial heat battery, a groundbreaking solution that promises to revolutionize the way we generate clean, reliable steam without relying on fossil fuels.
The project, located at Covestro's Brunsbüttel chemical site in northern Germany, is a testament to the country's commitment to renewable energy. With a surplus of renewable energy, Germany experienced a remarkable 25% increase in negative electricity prices in 2025, reaching 573 hours. This abundance of cheap renewable electricity is the driving force behind the heat battery's design.
Rondo's Heat Battery is a game-changer, utilizing specially designed bricks to store energy as heat. When there's a surplus of renewable electricity, the system charges up, heats the bricks, and then delivers steady, high-temperature steam around the clock for industrial processes. This technology is particularly suited for replacing fossil-fuel-fired boilers in facilities that operate 24/7.
The Brunsbüttel system, with a capacity of 100 megawatt-hours (MWh), is set to become the largest industrial heat battery in the world when it comes online by the end of 2026. It will supply approximately 10% of the steam required at the site, significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions by up to 13,000 metric tons annually. This project is supported by Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and the European Investment Bank.
The technology behind the heat battery is surprisingly simple. It combines proven heat-storage methods used in steelmaking for centuries with modern automation and controls. Electricity heats the bricks, which then transfer their stored heat to a conventional boiler, producing emission-free steam using renewable energy sources.
Eric Trusiewicz, CEO of Rondo Energy, expressed enthusiasm about the project's potential, stating, 'Together with Covestro, we are demonstrating that clean industrial heat can be both highly reliable and a powerful tool for balancing the grid, while building the energy infrastructure needed to strengthen Europe's industrial base and energy security.'
If the Brunsbüttel project proves successful, Covestro plans to expand this technology across its operations. This development is a significant step towards a more sustainable and climate-neutral future, showcasing the potential of renewable energy in industrial processes.
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