Google’s New CO₂ Battery Deal Targets 24/7 Carbon-Free Operations

Google has made a bold new bet on the future of clean energy. On Friday, it announced a global partnership with Italy’s Energy Dome, developer of the world’s first commercial CO₂ battery for grid storage. The goal: round-the-clock, carbon-free operations by 2030.

This marks Google’s first commercial deal for long-duration energy storage, a crucial step in overcoming the gaps left by wind and solar. The company is also making a direct investment in the Milan-based startup to accelerate deployment.

Why CO₂ Batteries?

Storing renewable power for hours or days remains one of the toughest hurdles in the energy transition. Typical lithium-ion batteries top out around 4 hours of backup; Energy Dome’s CO₂ Battery offers 8 to 24 hours, enough to bridge cloudy days or windless nights with ease.

Energy Dome’s system compresses carbon dioxide gas into a liquid using surplus clean electricity. Later, the liquid is released to expand and spin turbines when backup power is needed. This approach is efficient, scalable, and avoids supply chain issues tied to critical minerals.

Did you know?
Energy Dome’s CO₂ Battery uses everyday carbon dioxide gas-not exotic or toxic-materials and can be sited almost anywhere, making it far less location-constrained than most grid-scale storage technologies.

Transforming Grid Storage Economics

Industry experts believe long-duration storage like this holds the key to a fully renewable grid. According to the LDES Council, up to 8 terawatts of such storage by 2040 could deliver $540 billion in annual savings globally.

Energy Dome's technology is not only promising but also proven. The company’s demonstration facility has been running in Italy for over three years, and a full-scale 20 MW/200 MWh plant is already operating today. Energy Dome has contracts in Italy, the US, and India.

Bringing CO₂ Batteries to Mainstream Power Markets

Google plans to deploy CO₂ batteries across Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific, with several sites already identified. In the US, Wisconsin regulators just approved the Columbia Energy Storage Project. When completed, it will store enough energy to power 18,000 homes for 10 hours even if the sun doesn’t shine or the wind stalls.

The system’s versatility means future projects could pop up almost anywhere, including regions where lithium-ion batteries or pumped hydro aren’t feasible. Google says these batteries “can commercialize much faster” than many other advanced technologies in its portfolio.

ALSO READ | Google Launches Opal: No-Code AI App Builder Hits Public Beta

The Road to 24/7 Carbon-Free Operations

Currently, Google matches about 64% of its electricity demand with carbon-free energy on average, a number that soars as high as 97% in Finland but dips below 20% in certain Asian markets. With over $4 billion committed to renewable energy purchases through 2034, the search giant is betting big on a cleaner grid.

Energy Dome's CEO, Claudio Spadacini, views the Google deal as a significant milestone. “This agreement is about programmatic, strategic deployment of our technology at scale to help Google achieve its carbon-free promise,” he said in a statement.

Why This Partnership Could Reshape Energy Policy

Grid storage continues to be the crucial component in renewable energy. Should Google's endeavor with Energy Dome achieve success, it could serve as a source of inspiration for utilities worldwide, compelling policymakers to reconsider storage mandates, incentives, and grid planning from a fundamental perspective.

As global energy demand rises and the race to decarbonize intensifies, innovative approaches like the CO₂ battery may well determine who leads the next phase of the clean power revolution. Google's latest initiative positions it at the forefront of the clean power revolution.