Key Takeaways:
- 1. Texas-based startup Quidnet Energy has demonstrated the ability to store energy for up to six months by pumping water underground.
- 2. Their innovative approach aims to provide cheap, long-duration energy storage that could benefit inconsistent electricity sources like wind and solar.
- 3. While their technology may have lower efficiency compared to lithium-ion batteries, it offers potential cost advantages and could qualify for federal tax credits.
Quidnet Energy has developed a unique method of energy storage by pumping water underground and pressurizing it for later use. This approach, similar to traditional pumped hydro storage but with a twist, could provide cost-effective, long-duration energy storage to support renewable energy sources. Despite lower efficiency compared to lithium-ion batteries, the technology's affordability and potential eligibility for federal tax credits make it an attractive option for grid stability. Quidnet is working on building a facility to convert pressurized water back into electricity, aiming for large-scale deployment by 2026.
Insight: Quidnet Energy's innovative water-based energy storage technology offers a promising solution for storing electricity for extended periods, potentially enhancing grid reliability and supporting renewable energy integration.
This article was curated by memoment.jp from the feed source: MIT Technology Review.
Read the original article here: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/07/29/1120765/earth-battery-quidnet/
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