A New Use for a 3,000-Year-Old Technology: Concrete Thermal Energy Storage
Share this article:By Michael Matz Concrete has been used widely since Roman times, with a track record of providing cheap, durable material for structures ranging from the
Scientists are making energy-storing concrete to turn buildings
Researchers at MIT continue to look for ways to turn concrete into a perfect energy storage option. The researchers first shared their findings in 2023, The post Scientists are making
Concrete elements exhibit energy storage, power
EPRI and Storworks collaborated on the concrete thermal energy storage (CTES) demonstration with Alabama Power parent, Atlanta-based Southern Co., and Department of Energy backing. Researchers see the
Concrete Batteries: Revolutionizing Energy Generation
Description Discover the future of construction and energy with the latest episode of the GCO Podcast! Join host Ava as she explores the revolutionary concept of concrete batteries, a breakthrough merging structural
Clip Fast Company MIT engineers developed a new type of
Fast Company reporter Adele Peters writes that MIT researchers have developed a new type of concrete that can store energy, potentially enabling roads to be transformed into EV chargers
Electrifying cement with nanocarbon black
A new type of cement created with nanocarbon black can conduct electricity, allowing it to emit heat and eventually store energy, making concrete more sustainable. The work is led by scientists and engineers at MIT
MIT engineers developed a new type of concrete that
MIT engineers developed the new energy storage technology—a new type of concrete—based on two ancient materials: cement, which has been used for thousands of years, and carbon black, a...
Using a 2,000-year-old material, MIT engineers turned
• MIT researchers found that when mixed with cement powder and water, an ancient charcoal-like material known as carbon black forms a supercapacitor. • This technology could serve as an alternative to batteries,
The cement that could turn your house into a giant
This innocuous, dark lump of concrete could represent the future of energy storage. The promise of most renewable energy sources is that of endless clean power, bestowed on us by the Sun, wind and
6 FAQs about [Concrete energy storage technology video]
Could a concrete 'battery' be the future of energy storage?
A concrete 'battery' could be the future of energy storage. Energy Vault, a Swiss startup, has created a way to store electricity in concrete blocks. This technology helps use solar power when the sun doesn't shine and wind power when the wind doesn't blow. It's a low-tech alternative.
Can concrete be used as energy storage?
By tweaking the way cement is made, concrete could double as energy storage—turning roads into EV chargers and storing home energy in foundations. Your future house could have a foundation that’s able to store energy from the solar panels on your roof—without the need for separate batteries.
Can concrete TES be used for energy storage?
This study explored new materials specifically designed for energy storage, expanding the range of concrete TES applications to lower temperature regimes. Cot-Gores et al. presented a state-of-the-art review of thermochemical energy storage and conversion, focusing on practical conditions in experimental research.
How can engineers optimise concrete-based thermal energy storage systems?
By understanding and leveraging this property, engineers can design and optimise concrete-based thermal energy storage systems to achieve efficient heat storage and release. The specific heat of some of the common substances are summarised in Table 1.
Why is concrete a good heat storage solution?
The high volumetric heat capacity of concrete enables it to store a significant amount of thermal energy per unit volume. Additionally, the durability and longevity of concrete make it a reliable and long-lasting solution for heat storage applications.
Is concrete a thermal energy storage material?
Concrete is a widely used construction material that has gained attention as a thermal energy storage (TES) medium. It offers several advantageous properties that make it suitable for TES applications. Concrete has a high thermal mass, enabling it to absorb and store significant amounts of heat energy.