Google & Energy Dome Partner for CO₂ Battery Storage

In a move that signals a new chapter in energy innovation, Google has entered into a strategic partnership with Italian startup Energy Dome to pilot and scale a novel CO₂-based battery system. This long-duration energy storage technology, capable of holding renewable energy for up to 24 hours, is a crucial step in addressing the intermittency problem plaguing solar and wind energy. For Google, this venture is a direct contribution to its goal of operating entirely on carbon-free energy around the clock by 2030, a target that demands storage solutions capable of bridging the gap when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing.

Launching a Scalable Solution in the Heart of Italy

The initial deployment will take place in Sardinia, home to Energy Dome’s operations. There, a commercial-scale CO₂ battery installation will be constructed and validated with Google’s financial and strategic support. This pilot project is not merely an experiment; it is a potential blueprint for replicable and scalable storage infrastructure that could power Google's global network of data centres and campuses with continuous, clean electricity.

A New Approach to Energy Storage: Efficiency Meets Innovation

The core of Energy Dome’s solution lies in its use of carbon dioxide, not as a pollutant, but as a working fluid in a closed-loop system. This system operates by compressing CO₂ gas into a liquid when surplus renewable energy is available. When the energy is later required, the liquid CO₂ is reheated, causing it to expand into gas once more and drive a turbine to regenerate electricity. The elegance of this approach lies in its carbon-neutral design: CO₂ is never emitted into the atmosphere but simply cycles between gaseous and liquid forms within a sealed environment.

Addressing the Shortcomings of Traditional Storage Technologies

Compared to lithium-ion batteries, which typically offer a maximum of four to six hours of energy supply, the CO₂ battery dramatically extends the storage window to between 10 and 24 hours. This significant improvement enables the system to handle longer-duration energy deficits, making it particularly well-suited for overnight or multi-day periods of low renewable generation. It also bypasses many of the geographic and cost limitations that burden pumped hydro storage and other traditional methods.

Affordability and Scalability Through Industrial-Grade Components

One of the standout features of Energy Dome’s design is its reliance on existing industrial materials and equipment. Using widely available components like steel tanks and compressors, the system can be built rapidly and at a significantly lower cost. According to Energy Dome, the CO₂ battery can be constructed for less than half the cost of lithium-ion alternatives, while maintaining, or even surpassing, their energy efficiency, which stands at about 75%.

Why Google Needs Long-Duration Storage to Meet Its Clean Energy Vision

As a global leader in purchasing renewable energy, Google has already made considerable progress toward sustainability. However, achieving a 24/7 carbon-free energy mix requires more than just the procurement of clean power; it necessitates the ability to store and dispatch that energy on demand. This becomes even more critical given the massive energy requirements of Google’s operations. In the United States alone, its data centres consume approximately 1.3 terawatt-hours of electricity annually. Without adequate storage, even minor dips in renewable availability could force a fallback on carbon-intensive sources.

Bridging the Reliability Gap in Renewable Energy Systems

Short-term battery systems are effective for managing fluctuations in power over a few hours, but they fall short when it comes to covering extended outages or night-time demand. The CO₂ battery’s extended discharge capability directly addresses this limitation. It provides a reliable, carbon-free backup that complements the variability of renewables and ensures stable operations even in the absence of sunlight or wind. This makes it a cornerstone technology in the ongoing shift away from fossil fuels.

A Technology Aligned With Google’s Broader Climate Ambitions

The partnership with Energy Dome fits neatly into Google’s broader climate roadmap. Beyond direct investment in clean technologies, Google is also leveraging AI to manage energy loads more efficiently and enhance the sustainability of its infrastructure. The integration of scalable, long-duration energy storage further solidifies its strategy, positioning the company not just as a major consumer of renewables, but as an active architect of the future energy ecosystem.

Looking Ahead: A Template for Clean Energy Infrastructure Worldwide

Should the Sardinia project prove successful, it could serve as a template for energy storage solutions across Google's global facilities, and potentially, the broader tech and industrial sectors. The scalability, affordability, and efficiency of the CO₂ battery make it a compelling option in the global race to decarbonize power systems. By backing Energy Dome, Google is not just testing a new storage medium, it is laying the groundwork for a more resilient and sustainable grid infrastructure, aligned with its mission to build a carbon-free future.