Germany's Heated Bricks Revolutionize Industrial Heat

A pioneering industrial heat battery is under construction in northern Germany, marking a significant step toward decarbonizing heavy industry. The project, located at the Brunsbüttel chemical site, aims to replace traditional gas-fired boilers with a novel system powered by heated bricks.

This collaboration between Rondo Energy and Covestro is designed to address one of the most challenging aspects of industrial emissions: the need for clean, reliable heat. By generating steam without burning fossil fuels, the technology offers a promising pathway for industries worldwide to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining operational efficiency.

The groundbreaking ceremony at the Brunsbüttel site in northern Germany signals the start of construction for a new kind of industrial heat battery. This facility will utilize Rondo Energy's innovative technology to store renewable electricity as heat within bricks. When industrial processes require steam, the stored heat is released, providing a consistent and powerful energy source.

The system is engineered to deliver high-temperature heat essential for chemical manufacturing and other heavy industries. Unlike intermittent renewable sources, this heat battery can provide the continuous, reliable steam that industrial operations depend on. The Brunsbüttel site, operated by Covestro, is a major hub for chemical production, making it an ideal location for this large-scale demonstration.

• Location: Brunsbüttel, northern Germany
• Partners: Rondo Energy and Covestro
• Core technology: Heated brick energy storage
• Primary output: Clean, fossil-free industrial steam

Industrial heat accounts for a substantial portion of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Many sectors, including chemicals, steel, and cement, require temperatures that are difficult to achieve with electricity alone. The heat battery technology developed by Rondo Energy directly addresses this challenge by converting renewable electricity into thermal energy.

By eliminating the need for natural gas or other fossil fuels to generate steam, this project offers a scalable solution for industrial decarbonization. The ability to produce clean, reliable steam is critical for companies like Covestro as they work toward sustainability goals. This approach not only reduces emissions but also provides insulation from volatile fossil fuel markets.

Make clean, reliable steam without burning fossil fuels.

The implications extend beyond a single facility. If successful, this model could be replicated across thousands of industrial plants globally, significantly accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

At the core of this innovation is a simple yet powerful concept: using electricity to heat bricks to extreme temperatures, then storing that heat until it is needed. The Rondo Heat Battery can charge using renewable energy sources like wind or solar power. When discharging, it can produce heat at temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius, sufficient for most industrial processes.

This technology differs from traditional boilers, which burn fuel on demand. Instead, the heat battery acts as a buffer, storing excess renewable energy and releasing it precisely when required. This ensures a steady supply of industrial-grade heat regardless of weather conditions or time of day. The system is designed for high efficiency and long operational life, with the bricks serving as the primary storage medium.

• Charges with renewable electricity
• Stores energy as heat in bricks
• Produces steam at industrial temperatures
• Operates without combustion or emissions

The Brunsbüttel project serves as a real-world test case for a technology that could transform industrial energy use worldwide. Germany's commitment to renewable energy makes it a natural leader in adopting such innovations. The collaboration between a technology provider like Rondo Energy and a major industrial player like Covestro demonstrates the practical viability of heat batteries.

As industries face increasing pressure to reduce emissions, solutions that do not compromise on reliability or cost are essential. This heat battery technology provides a clear path forward, combining the benefits of electrification with the performance of thermal energy. The success of this installation could pave the way for widespread adoption across the chemical, manufacturing, and materials sectors.

Industry desperately needs: make clean, reliable steam without burning fossil fuels.

The construction of the industrial heat battery at Brunsbüttel represents a tangible step toward a fossil-free industrial future. By demonstrating that clean, reliable steam can be produced without combustion, the project challenges long-held assumptions about industrial energy needs.

As the project moves from groundbreaking to operation, it will provide valuable data on performance, efficiency, and economic impact. The lessons learned here will inform future deployments, helping to accelerate the global transition to sustainable industrial processes. This initiative underscores the potential of innovative energy storage to unlock decarbonization in even the most energy-intensive sectors.