What's Your Problem? Can Hot Bricks Save the World? (The Solar Era, Part 2)
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Nov 28, 2024 Join John O'Donnell, co-founder of Rondo Energy, as he unveils the potential of hot bricks in transforming how industries harness renewable energy. He discusses innovative ways to produce intense industrial heat using affordable solar and wind energy. O'Donnell highlights challenges in scaling operations and regulatory hurdles while emphasizing the importance of cost-effectiveness. Learn how these heated bricks could revolutionize manufacturing practices and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, paving the way for a sustainable industrial future.
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Minimize Innovation
- Innovate as little as possible when developing new technology.
- Focus on proven solutions suitable for large-scale infrastructure investments.
Silicon PV
- Cleantech 1.0 companies tried to make PV from anything but silicon, assuming it was too expensive.
- China invested in polysilicon production, dropping costs and proving the simplest technology often wins.
Hot Brick Technology
- Rondo Energy uses a 200-year-old idea from blast furnaces for energy storage.
- They heat bricks with exhaust and later use that stored heat to improve efficiency.