Alumina Energy and Seramic Materials to explore introduction of recycled ceramic materials in thermal energy storage systems

US-based Alumina Energy LLC and UAE-based Seramic Materials Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the introduction of recycled ceramic materials in packed bed thermal energy storage (PBTES) technology solutions.  The companies aim to develop projects that demonstrate the cost efficiencies and greenhouse gas (GHG) savings of using recycled ceramic material, and pave the way for its use in larger PBTES projects in applications including concentrating solar power (CSP), waste heat recovery (WHR), and electric-thermal energy storage (ETES).

Seramic Materials has developed a unique patented solution to recycle industrial solid waste into sustainable and affordable value-added ceramic products.  The company has worked with the Catalyst, a Masdar-BP initiative, to build a laboratory at the Tech Park in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi (UAE) to showcase the technology.  This is the first laboratory in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) dedicated to the transformation and valorization of industrial solid waste into value-added products, helping to drive the industry towards a near-zero waste approach.

Dr. Nicolas Calvet, co-founder & CEO, Seramic Materials, stated: “Replacing a natural resource by waste presents several advantages, as using waste can be significantly cheaper than conventional raw materials, leading to an affordable final commercial product.  Secondly, by avoiding the extraction of natural resources and their transport, significant amount of carbon emissions is saved.  Manufacturing energy consumption is also reduced, which further lowers final GHG emissions.  In total, this represents at least a 40% reduction in CO2 compared with conventional ceramic manufacturing methods.  Finally, industrial waste is diverted from landfill.”

Meanwhile, Alumina Energy has developed a truly game-changing solution for storing energy on a large scale.  Alumina Energy’s PBTES solution use solid ceramic storage materials and a patented storage and recovery method to store heat or electricity so that it can be used at a later time. The technology maximizes performance and provides low-cost (under $15/kWh) by use of recycled ceramic storage materials with high operating temperatures (over 1000oC).  Alumina Energy provides a flexible and cost-competitive energy storage solution that can charge and discharge heat or electricity on demand with zero emissions.

Richard Dash, CEO, Alumina Energy, said: “Pollution is a significant issue globally, and, as a result, there has been a concerted push over the past several years to develop and commercially deploy clean energy solutions.  However, while there have been advancements in clean energy technology, the worldwide market acceptance has been limited.  This has been partly due to its low cost-competitiveness with existing fossil fuel options and, in the case of wind and solar, due to the intermittency of the energy sources.  

Sasha Braun, Founder & COO, Alumina Energy, said: “We look forward to working closely with Seramic Materials on introducing low-cost recycled ceramic storage material in PBTES projects to effectively integrate renewable energy and decarbonize thermal energy demands in the industrial sector.”