Google Taps Italian Startup for CO2 Storage
Energy Dome, an Italian energy storage startup, has secured a commercial agreement with Google to deploy its proprietary CO2 battery technology. The partnership targets the persistent challenge of balancing the grid’s intermittent renewable energy sources through long-duration storage.
Thermodynamic Storage in a Closed Loop
The Energy Dome system relies on a closed-loop thermodynamic process. When surplus renewable energy hits the grid, the system compresses CO2 gas into a liquid state at ambient temperatures. When demand spikes, the liquid CO2 expands back into a gas, driving a turbine to generate electricity.
This method offers a cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Because the CO2 is captured and reused indefinitely, the technology bypasses the environmental degradation linked to mining raw materials for traditional batteries.
The Quest for 24/7 Carbon-Free Power
Google has committed to operating on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030. To hit that mark, the company must solve the “intermittency problem”—the reality that solar and wind power are not always available during peak demand.
By contracting with Energy Dome, Google aims to test CO2 storage as a scalable solution for grid stability. The project reflects a corporate strategy to back emerging technologies capable of moving the energy sector away from fossil-fuel-dependent peaking plants.
Comparing Storage Chemistries
Industry standards currently favor lithium-ion for short-duration storage, typically lasting two to four hours. Energy Dome’s CO2 solution targets longer windows, which are essential for multi-day requirements.
| Feature | Lithium-Ion Batteries | Energy Dome CO2 Battery |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Short-duration (2–4 hours) | Long-duration (4–24+ hours) |
| Material Source | Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel | Carbon Dioxide (recycled) |
| Degradation | Performance declines over time | No chemical degradation |
| Scalability | High cost at large scale | Low-cost modular design |
Scaling Beyond the Sardinia Pilot
This agreement moves the technology from pilot testing to commercial application. Energy Dome previously validated its CO2 cycle at a demonstration facility in Sardinia, Italy. Partnering with Google gives the startup an institutional backer to refine its technology for the mass market.
Success hinges on the system’s ability to maintain round-trip efficiency—the ratio of energy put into the system versus energy recovered—at a scale competitive with natural gas peaker plants. As of 2024, the focus is on integrating these systems into existing infrastructure to support the decarbonization of data centers and broader electrical networks.
Worth a look