Google partners with Energy Dome for carbon-free energy storage

Google has struck a commercial partnership with Milan-based Energy Dome to deploy revolutionary CO2 battery technology that will help power the tech giant's operations with zero-emission energy.

The agreement marks Google's first commercial long-duration energy storage deal and includes a strategic investment in the Italian energy storage firm, though financial details were not disclosed. Energy Dome joins Google's growing portfolio of advanced energy technologies as the company works towards its ambitious goal of running operations on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030.

Energy Dome's innovative CO2 battery system stores energy by compressing and liquefying carbon dioxide, which is later expanded to generate electricity. The technology can continuously dispatch energy for periods of eight to 24 hours, making it capable of providing firm electricity to meet both baseload and flexibility requirements for large energy users.

"Google is committed to powering our operations with clean energy, and Energy Dome's technologically proven and scalable long-duration energy storage solution can help us unlock rapid progress," said Maud Texier, Director of EMEA Energy at Google. "By helping to scale this first-of-a-kind LDES technology, we hope to help communities everywhere gain greater access to reliable, affordable electricity."

The CO2 battery technology offers significant advantages over traditional storage solutions, avoiding the use of scarce raw materials such as lithium and copper. This makes it particularly attractive to European policymakers seeking to reduce reliance on critical minerals whilst bolstering energy security.

Energy Dome's system uses off-the-shelf equipment without supply chain bottlenecks, ensuring a highly scalable solution. The mechanical components also help stabilise the grid by providing natural inertia from rotating machinery, crucial as renewable energy sources replace fossil-fuel power stations.

The partnership will develop CO2 battery projects across Europe, America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Energy Dome launched its first commercial-scale plant in Sardinia in 2022, with a 20-megawatt capacity able to power 13,000-15,000 houses. The company has already secured contracts with Alliant Energy in the US, Engie in Italy, and NTPC in India.