Thermal Batteries: Electrifying Heating in Chemical Plants

Thermal batteries can abate up to 99% of heat emissions in US chemical and refining plants by storing renewable electricity as heat in materials like graphite or bricks. These systems can provide heat up to 1800°C for reactions and distillation, with a levelized cost of heat between $20 and $87 per MWh. Integration involves assessing heating needs, retrofitting steam systems, and implementing automated charging based on electricity prices. While heat pumps are suitable for processes up to 200°C, thermal batteries address higher temperature needs. The guide advocates for policy reforms, including wholesale electricity rate access and permitting reform for non-adjacent parcels, to enhance the viability of industrial electrification.

• Thermal batteries can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial heating by up to 99% when powered by renewable energy, targeting a sector that currently contributes 5% to 6% of total US emissions.
• The technology utilizes materials such as bricks, crushed rock, and graphite to store heat at temperatures reaching 1800°C, which can be released for industrial processes including drying, distillation, and chemical reactions.
• The levelized cost of heat (LCOH) for thermal batteries ranges from $20 to $87 per megawatt hour (MWh), with capital expenses accounting for 20% to 40% of the total cost.
• Thermal batteries are most effective for high-temperature needs, whereas heat pumps are recommended for process heating up to 200°C, which represents 60% of heating-related emissions.
• Financial viability is supported by the 45X Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit and 48C Advanced Energy Project Credit, though further state-level reforms regarding wholesale rate access and non-adjacent parcel permitting are needed to reduce costs and facilitate renewable energy integration.

APA

RMI (2024). Thermal Batteries: Electrifying Heating in Chemical Plants. https://rmi.org/resources/thermal-batteries-electrifying-heating-in-chemical-plants/

Chicago

RMI. Thermal Batteries: Electrifying Heating in Chemical Plants. 2024. https://rmi.org/resources/thermal-batteries-electrifying-heating-in-chemical-plants/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Thermal Batteries: Electrifying Heating in Chemical Plants |date=28 October 2024 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/thermal-batteries-electrifying-heating-in-chemical-plants/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2024thermal, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Thermal Batteries: Electrifying Heating in Chemical Plants}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2024}, month = oct, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/thermal-batteries-electrifying-heating-in-chemical-plants/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }