The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced on Tuesday a substantial investment of USD 63.5 million (EUR 59.3 million) to support the commercialisation of four innovative clean energy technologies, including thermal battery solutions.
Antora Energy has been selected to enter into negotiations for up to USD 14.5 million in funding to scale up production of its thermal battery technology. This advanced system, charged by renewable energy sources, provides on-demand heat and power for industrial facilities.
Andrew Ponec, co-founder and CEO of Antora Energy, expressed optimism about the funding's impact: “This funding will enable Antora to expand its thermophotovoltaic (TPV) manufacturing capacity and accelerate the launch of its combined heat and power product.”
The funding allocations are part of the Seeding Critical Advances for Leading Energy technologies with Untapped Potential (SCALEUP) program, designed to support projects that have successfully de-risked their technologies and established clear paths to commercial deployment.
Among the selected projects is Ion Storage Systems, focused on bolstering domestic manufacturing of next-generation solid-state lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles. The programme also includes initiatives by AeroShield Materials and Queens Carbon, targeting advancements in aerogels for energy-efficient insulated glass units and decarbonisation of cement production, respectively.
US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm underscored the DOE's commitment to driving technological advancements: “By catalysing the commercialisation of promising technologies, we are empowering the private sector to boost American manufacturing, strengthen national security, and maintain our competitive edge.”
