Thermochemical Energy Storage for Disadvantaged Communities
RedoxBlox Inc.
Recipient
San Diego, CA
Recipient Location
38th
Senate District
78th
Assembly District
Active
Project Status
Project Update
Since kicking off the project late in 2024, subcontracts have been executed and planning for a Technical Advisory Committee meeting is ongoing. The project team is working on system design as well as performing early technoeconomic analyses.
The Issue
Energy storage is increasingly important with the deployment of variable renewable electricity resources such as solar and wind. Lithium ion batteries are the current commercial standard, but safety concerns and rising costs - in particular for longer duration storage - are growing challenges into the future. This project advances the development of RedoxBlox thermochemical energy storage technology, which is a low cost and safe alternative to lithium ion storage.
Project Innovation
A 10 MWh RedoxBlox thermochemical energy storage system will be installed on the University of California San Diego medical campus. The thermochemical storage system will discharge to a 100-kW turbogenerator to provide more than 24 hours of electrical output. The 200-kW waste heat exiting the turbine will enter an adsorption chiller to provide chilled water to the medical campus. The combined heat and power long-duration energy storage solution makes optimal utilization of the available stored energy. The thermochemical energy storage/CHP system will be demonstrated for at least 12 months during the project duration. The system will remain in place to serve the UCSD medical campus at project completion.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
RedoxBlox thermochemical energy storage (TCES) is a low-cost solution for providing energy storage. The technology utilizes abundant raw materials to keep cost low, provides high energy density, has fast charging capability, and offers modular deployment. This project will demonstrate the capability of TCES to deliver combined heat and power - offsetting natural gas combustion with no direct emissions.
Energy Security
Energy storage provides energy security through backup power - in this case 24 hours of electrical output.
Environmental Sustainability
RedoxBlox energy storage enables increased penetration of renewable electricity generation. The stored energy can be returned to the grid, and/or used to replace natural gas combustion.
Key Project Members
Tim Grove
Subrecipients
Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
The Regents of the University of California, on behalf of the San Diego campus
Czero, Inc.
GUY NIELSON COMPANY INDUSTRIAL DIVISION, INC.
California Environmental Justice Alliance
Match Partners
RedoxBlox Inc.
