Google Backs CO₂ Battery Startup in Push for 24/7 Clean Energy
Google is taking a bold step toward its goal of running entirely on carbon-free energy by 2030. The company has partnered with and invested in Italian startup Energy Dome, a pioneer in carbon dioxide-based energy storage, in a move that could reshape how the world stores renewable power.
Unlike traditional batteries, Energy Dome’s system stores energy using compressed CO₂. During periods of excess solar or wind power, the CO₂ is liquefied and stored in large domes. When electricity is needed, the CO₂ is released, expands into gas, and drives turbines to generate energy. The process is clean, efficient, and doesn’t rely on rare minerals like lithium or cobalt.
For Google, the partnership is more than just an investment—it’s part of a global strategy to secure long-duration energy storage for its growing infrastructure. Data centers and AI workloads require round-the-clock electricity, and technologies like Energy Dome’s could fill the gaps when solar or wind sources dip.
Energy Dome is already rolling out projects around the world, including a 20 MW facility in Italy, a pilot in Wisconsin, and a large-scale system in India. These installations are designed to store power for up to 24 hours, helping stabilize the grid and ensure renewable energy is always available when needed.
With this move, Google is signaling a shift toward innovative storage solutions that go beyond batteries—and investing in the infrastructure required to make a carbon-free future a reality.
Source:
A.M.
