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Fourth Power’s sci-fi thermal batteries could be cheaper than pricey natural gaspower plants
Fourth Power's thermal battery technology aims to provide cheaper long-duration energy storage using superheated liquid tin, potentially undercutting lithium-ion batteries and natural gas power plants by 2028. Their system promises sustainable electricity storage for over eight hours with minimal energy loss, having raised $20 million for its first demonstration project.
Key points
- Fourth Power is a startup focused on developing thermal batteries for long-duration energy storage.
- The technology uses heated liquid tin and argon in insulated chambers to store electricity generated from the grid.
- Power is released as the molten tin's infrared light is converted back into electricity using thermophotovoltaic cells.
- The startup plans to build its first commercial-scale battery by 2028, projecting costs to be competitive at $25 per kilowatt-hour.
- The thermal batteries are expected to discharge electricity for more than eight hours, outperforming current lithium-ion batteries.
- The company has raised $20 million in funding and is conducting rigorous testing on smaller-scale systems.
Why it matters
- The increasing demand for renewable energy sources and efficient storage solutions reflects a broader trend in the energy sector.
- Long-duration storage innovations like Fourth Power's thermal batteries are critical as countries aim for net-zero emissions timelines.
- 2025 will be pivotal for energy startups as many aim to innovate in energy storage and sustainability, capabilities pivotal to combating climate change.
Fourth Power's advancements in thermal battery technology represent a significant leap toward affordable and effective energy storage, potentially reshaping the future of renewable energy reliance and offering a solution to current battery limitations.