Italian company behind “carbon dome” energy storage sets up a base in Melbourne

Italian long-duration energy storage company Energy Dome will establish its new APAC headquarters in Melbourne as it continues to identify potential sites in Victoria to deploy its proprietary CO2 Battery.

Founded in 2020, Energy Dome boasts a large scale and long duration energy storage technology that is based on a thermodynamic process that uses CO2 to store electricity cost-effectively with what the company claims is “unprecedented round-trip efficiencies.”

Specifically, according to Energy Dome, their technology “uses a thermodynamic cycle, charging by drawing carbon dioxide from a ‘Dome’ gasholder, storing it under pressure, and then dispatching it by evaporating and expanding the gas through a turbine back into the gasholder.”

These characteristic domes boast a 10-hour discharge duration and reduces storage costs by storing the CO2 at ambient temperature in its liquid phase and requiring only water, steel, and CO2 for its component parts.

Already close to completing a full-scale CO2 Battery plant in Sardinia and having already signed multiple commercial contracts for its technology in the United States and India, Energy Dome is also currently working to identify potential sites across Victoria.

Now, the Milan based company has chosen Melbourne to play host to its APAC headquarters, building on the strong existing relationship and economic partnership which exists between the two cities.

“Energy Dome has identified critical advantages in establishing our APAC team in Victoria to lead the deployment of the CO2 Battery, and the Victorian Government’s support will enable us to accelerate our expansion in the state,” said Claudio Spadacini, CEO of Energy Dome.

While the CO2 Battery boasts a round-trip efficiency of over 75 per cent, below the 85 per cent of a lithium-ion battery, Energy Dome’s technology exhibits no degradation over time, and could yield an operational lifespan in excess of 30 years. In comparison, a lithium-ion battery has demonstrated high efficiency degradation over its life, beginning to deteriorate before 15 years have passed.

Energy Dome’s CO2 Battery also delivers a 100 per cent depth of discharge (compared to less than 80 per cent for a lithium-ion battery) and needs no critical minerals, relying only on off-the-shelf components.

Committing to build its APAC headquarters in Melbourne is paired with government backing that Spadacini believes will help the company bring its technology to Australia.

“Undoubtedly, this close-knit and formal collaboration with the Victorian Government will quickly enhance energy storage capacity, strengthen local supply chains, create high-value jobs, and support the region’s energy goals,” he said on LinkedIn.

“What’s even better is that Victoria’s strong industrial base and well-developed manufacturing capabilities provide the ideal foundation for accelerating the deployment of our groundbreaking CO2 Battery technology.”

The announcement is also a huge win for Victoria as it continues to attract clean energy technologies.

“Victoria is open for business – Energy Dome calling Victoria home will bring world leading technology to Melbourne, create more jobs for Victorians and contribute to our economic growth,” said Danny Pearson, Victorian minister for economic growth and jobs.