Engie, Holcim work on cement-based energy storage solution

Swiss cement giant Holcim (SWX:HOLN) and French utility Engie SA (EPA:ENGI) have teamed up to jointly produce an energy storage solution based on a cementitious material to serve as an alternative to batteries.

Holcim is partnering with Engie's research centre and French engineering university INSA Lyon to develop a solution that stores and converts surplus heat into power when needed, the cement group said on Thursday.

The material used for the solution can absorb 300 kW of energy per cubic meter and release it later through hydration in a process that can be repeated infinitely. The partners will explore ways to integrate the new product into a heating network or other energy infrastructure.

Holcim said the solution could be used as a local, affordable and recyclable alternative to conventional batteries to support the storage of renewable energy and optimise heating networks in cities.

The Swiss group is working also on another concrete-based solution that enables electric vehicles to recharge wirelessly while in motion on the road. This project was launched in January in partnership with German start-up Magment.

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