John O’Donnell of Rondo Energy | Ep 145

In this episode, our host, Joe Batir, speaks with John O’Donnell, CEO of Rondo Energy. They discuss the importance of decarbonizing industrial heat and the role of high temperature thermal energy storage in achieving this goal. John explains that the cost of PV solar has fallen dramatically, making intermittent clean electricity the cheapest form of energy.

This episode is sponsored by Ranch Office—Texas style co-working in Houston. Life is better at the Ranch.

John’s Book Recommendations:

Speed and Scale by John Doerr

The Heat Will Kill You First by Jeff Goodell

Climate Capitalism by Akshat Rathi

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Rondo Energy is building the world’s cheapest, simplest, safest, and most efficient energy storage system that stores electricity as heat and delivers it to replace boilers and furnaces. The industrial heat market is significant, accounting for half of all fuel burned and a quarter of all coal, oil, and natural gas burned globally.

O’Donnell emphasizes the need for decarbonized heat to be cheaper than business as usual in order to drive rapid decarbonization in the industrial sector. He also discusses the technology behind Rondo’s heat battery, which uses radiation charging and convection discharging to rapidly charge and deliver heat continuously.

O’Donnell highlights the importance of partnerships and leveraging existing supply chains to scale up the deployment of heat batteries. He mentions the recent grants from the Department of Energy for industrial decarbonization projects and the role of government support in accelerating the adoption of new technologies. O’Donnell believes that the transition to net zero requires a focus on profitable solutions that can be implemented at scale.

Takeaways

• Decarbonizing industrial heat is crucial for achieving a low-carbon future.
• Intermittent clean electricity is now the cheapest form of energy, making it economically viable to replace boilers and furnaces with high temperature thermal energy storage.
• The industrial heat market is significant, accounting for half of all fuel burned globally.
• Decarbonized heat must be cheaper than business as usual to drive rapid decarbonization in the industrial sector.
• Partnerships and leveraging existing supply chains are key to scaling up the deployment of heat batteries.
• Government support, such as grants for industrial decarbonization projects, can accelerate the adoption of new technologies.
• A focus on profitable solutions that can be implemented at scale is essential for transitioning to net zero.

Keywords

decarbonization, industrial heat, thermal energy storage, PV solar, energy storage, heat battery, cost, market size, partnerships, government support, net zero

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Permission

08:23 The Potential of Heat Battery Storage

25:44 Government Support for Industrial Decarbonization

35:26 Competition and the Future of Heat Batteries

45:27 Closing Remarks