Google Develops CO2 Battery Plants for Renewable Energy Storage

Google has launched CO2 battery plants for long-duration storage of renewable energy, developed by the Milan-based company Energy Dome. This innovative technology is designed to provide electricity to data centers around the clock, ensuring a clean energy supply even when solar and wind resources are unavailable.

Google plans to rapidly deploy these facilities in key data center locations across Europe, the United States, and the Asia-Pacific region. Construction of these plants is expected to start in 2026, with the first being built by India's NTPC Limited at the Kudgi power plant in Karnataka.

Additionally, Alliant Energy in Wisconsin has received approval to construct a CO2 battery to supply power to 18,000 homes starting in 2026. CO2 batteries have several advantages over traditional energy storage solutions, as they do not require special topography, critical minerals, or complex supply chains.

Their expected lifespan is nearly three times longer than that of lithium-ion batteries, and Energy Dome anticipates that their solution will be 30 percent cheaper than lithium-ion technology. China's Huadian Corp. and Dongfang Electric Corp. are also reportedly constructing a CO2-based energy storage facility in the Xinjiang region.

Google's senior lead for energy storage has expressed optimism about Energy Dome's technology, noting its adaptability across various regions and potential for large-scale commercial deployment.