Scaling Thermal Energy Storage: Decarbonizing Industry Without Deindustrializing

Industrial heat is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize, yet it represents over a quarter of global energy use. Thermal Energy Storage (TES) offers a direct, cost-effective replacement for gas-fired boilers, supplying zero-carbon heat from renewable power or the grid. By absorbing excess electricity and converting it into reliable, pollution-free heat, TES not only cuts emissions but also unlocks new renewable generation that would otherwise remain stuck in interconnection queues.

Made from safe, low-cost, and widely available materials, Rondo's breakthrough TES technology, the Rondo Heat Battery, avoids supply chain bottlenecks and is already cost-competitive with natural gas in many regions. Scaling its adoption could eliminate up to 6 billion tons of CO₂ annually, the equivalent of removing 1.5 billion cars from the road or retiring 1,600 coal plants.

This session will explore the $3+ trillion market opportunity across industries such as chemicals, food & beverage, and textiles, highlighting the state of global deployment and the role of TES in strengthening grids.