Episode 111 | Star Storage | EnerVenue

As more utilities make net-zero carbon pledges, energy storage will be critical to offset the intermittency of renewable energy.

Bay Area-based EnerVenue believes they can play a large role in the need for utility-scale storage. Their battery technology is based on metal-hydrogen battery technology, which was developed in the 1970s/80s and widely deployed for the space program.

My guest, CEO Jorg Heinemann, says NASA preferred these batteries—despite their weight—based on their resiliency. The batteries are capable of extreme temperatures (140°F/-40°F), many cycles (over 30K), and are essentially maintenance-free.

"This is a true 'install-and-forget,'" says Jorg. "Imagine shooting a battery up into outer space. You can't maintain that thing or augment it or replace battery packs without doing a spacewalk."

In 2020 EnerVenue was founded from a technology developed by Stanford professor Yi Cui. Unlike the earlier batteries, Dr. Cui's metal-hydrogen batteries use common metals and less exotic catalysts. The goal, says Jorg, is to make a resilient battery that is cost-competitive with lithium-ion batteries.

"The breakthrough was dusting off this old technology and coming at it from first principles," says Jorg, "asking, 'What if we used this chemistry, but redesigned it for low cost?’”

He says the ideal setting for their batteries are stationary storage applications that require a lot of cycles, like pairing with solar farms. Ironically, the last application where these would make sense these days—is space. Jorg says a SpaceX mission last July replaced the original matel-hydrogen batteries on board the International Space Station with lithium ion batteries.

In August 2020, EnerVenue announced an investment of $12M. Jorg says the money has been spent to prove out the technology and make ready fr commercialization. At the time of this interview, Jorg said they planned to reach a gigawatt-hour of production within 24 months.

"Our goal is pure and simple," he says, "battery supply with this unique, stationary, ultra-durable, ultra flexible, here for the world."

Useful Links:

EnerVenue - Official Site