Italian energy storage company Energy Dome has secured investment and commercial support from Google to accelerate global deployment of its CO2-based long-duration storage technology.
Founded in 2020, Energy Dome developed the “CO2 Battery,” which uses a closed-loop thermo-mechanical process to compress, liquefy, and expand carbon dioxide for energy storage and release.
Unlike lithium-ion batteries, the CO2 Battery has a consistent round-trip efficiency of over 75% that doesn’t degrade over time and has a projected lifespan of more than 30 years.
The technology avoids reliance on critical minerals and has already been proven through a demonstration facility and a 10-hour, 20 MW commercial plant in Italy.
Google is backing the company as part of its broader push to decarbonise both its operations and the electricity grids that power them.
This marks Google’s first commercial partnership with a long-duration energy storage firm, aiming to develop projects across Europe, the U.S., and the Asia Pacific.
“Energy Dome’s technologically proven and scalable long-duration energy storage solution can help us unlock rapid progress.”
Maud Texier, director of EMEA Energy at Google
Google’s investment comes as Energy Dome ramps up commercial deployment, with projects already contracted with Alliant Energy (U.S.), Engie (Italy), and NTPC (India).
The company is also expanding its Asia Pacific presence, having chosen Melbourne for its regional headquarters and identifying potential sites in Victoria.
Energy Dome’s CEO Claudio Spadacini says the partnership with Google proves that “a 24/7 cost-effective and carbon-free energy supply is achievable with the right technology and partnership model.”