Fourth Power's innovative vision is about to transform the energy sector. Their thermal grid battery could be a serious competitor for lithium batteries. More: a true game changer. It offers extraordinary efficiency at a surprisingly low cost, and promises to redefine the rules of the game in renewables.
The lithium challenge
As demand for sustainable energy solutions continues to increase, the search for efficient, low-cost alternatives to lithium batteries is more crucial than ever. The startup Fourth power responds to this challenge with a bold proposal: a thermal grid battery that promises to surpass lithium batteries in both cost and efficiency.
Fourth Power's technology is based on a simple but ingenious principle: use renewable energy in excess to heat blocks of graphite up to a temperature of 2.500 °C (such as to make these blocks intense white). This process stores energy in a highly efficient form, ready to be released when demand increases.
The secret of the thermal battery? The liquid metal
At the heart of this innovative technology is a liquid metal pumping system designed to transfer thermal energy from heated graphite blocks. Using liquid tin, which melts at a relatively low temperature, this technology can transfer heat with unprecedented efficiency, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods. The conversion of stored heat into electrical energy is made possible thanks to latest generation thermophotovoltaic cells (TPV). These cells, capable of capturing the intense light emitted by the overheated graphite tubes, transform light energy into electrical energy with an efficiency never seen before.
Economy, safety and future prospects
In addition to its impressive energy efficiency performance, Fourth Power's technology also stands out for its low cost. Made mainly from graphite and tin, widely available and low-cost materials, it offers an economical alternative to expensive lithium batteries. Furthermore, its non-explosive nature and resistance to thermal runaway make it a safe and reliable solution. With recent $19 million in funding, Fourth Power is preparing to build a 1-megawatt-hour prototype near Boston.
Commercialization is still a few years away (not that much: 2025), but the potential for this energy storage technology is immense, with significant implications for the future of renewable energy. How about? Shall we turn it on? (Bad joke, sorry).
