Researchers are exploring how ancient firebrick technology, traditionally used for heat storage, could be integrated with modern clean energy solutions to potentially save over $1 trillion globally. Firebricks have been used since the Bronze Age to retain and manage heat in kilns and ovens, and recent innovations are adapting these bricks to conduct electricity.
Industrial manufacturers, crucial for products like aluminum and glass but responsible for 17% of global CO2 emissions, are now looking at firebricks as a cheaper, more efficient alternative to batteries for energy storage. Unlike conventional firebricks that insulate, new formulations incorporating compounds like chromia and nickel oxide can conduct electricity and reach temperatures up to 3,270 degrees Fahrenheit, sufficient for industrial processes like melting steel.
This approach could significantly reduce carbon emissions, particularly as renewable energy sources become more prevalent. A study by Stanford’s Mark Jacobson suggests that using firebricks instead of batteries could save over $1.2 trillion in global costs by 2050. The firebricks are not only cheaper than batteries but also require fewer resources to operate.
While the transition to fully electric systems is still evolving, early adopters are starting to implement these conductive firebricks in industrial settings. For instance, companies are replacing traditional gas boilers with firebrick-based systems, which promise reduced CO2 emissions and lower energy costs.
Overall, integrating firebrick technology with clean energy holds promise for transforming industrial practices and achieving substantial cost savings and environmental benefits.
