Rondo Energy has begun commercial operation of what it calls the world’s largest industrial heat battery.
The 100MWh Rondo Heat Battery (RHB) is now in daily automatic operation, powered entirely by an on-site solar PV array and delivering continuous high-pressure heat and steam to Holmes Western Oil Corporation in California.
The unit sets new benchmarks for industrial heat battery capacity, round-trip efficiency, and power delivery. It provides heat equivalent to 10,000 domestic heating systems. Charged during daylight hours by off-grid solar, the RHB supplies 24-hour heat. After 10 weeks of operation, it has met all targets for automation, performance and reliability, validating Rondo’s design with storage temperatures exceeding 1,000°C and round-trip efficiency above 97%.
“The Rondo Heat Battery is now proven at industrial scale,” said Eric Trusiewicz, CEO of Rondo Energy. “We are already developing and operating heat batteries across four continents and five industries. Our customers are improving their competitiveness and slashing their carbon emissions at the same time.”
The system integrates directly with existing gas-fired boilers, requiring no facility modifications. Delivered with zero lost-time injuries, it meets all contract specifications. By replacing gas with fixed-cost solar, the project reduces energy price volatility and carbon market exposure, while enhancing competitiveness in low-carbon markets.
Rondo’s technology is now deployed across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, serving sectors from chemicals to cement. The company says its heat battery offers a scalable, safe and cost-effective route to industrial decarbonisation.
