Firebricks could save Industry trillions of $

[Sparty]

Summary of: Effects of firebricks for industrial process heat on the cost of matching all-sector energy demand with 100% wind–water–solar supply in 149 countries

Refractory bricks:

Can withstand high temperatures without structural damage
Used for insulating hot enclosures for thousands of years


Firebricks:

A type of refractory brick
Can store heat or insulate heat-storing firebricks, depending on composition
Made from common materials, making them cost-effective


Cost comparison:

Firebrick storage system: Less than one-tenth the cost per kilowatt-hour-thermal
Battery system: Higher cost per kilowatt-hour-electricity

Hypotheses:
a) Using excess renewable electricity to produce and store industrial process heat in firebricks can provide low-cost continuous heat for industry

b) In a 100% clean, renewable energy transition, firebricks can reduce overall energy costs by decreasing needs for electricity generation, storage, and low-temperature heat storage
Study scope:

Tested across 149 countries combined into 29 world regions


Results (compared to base case without firebricks):

14.5% reduction in 2050 battery capacity
31% reduction in annual hydrogen production for grid electricity
27.3% reduction in underground low-temperature heat storage capacity
1.2% reduction in onshore wind nameplate capacity
0.4% reduction in land needs
1.8% reduction in overall annual energy cost


Conclusion:

Firebricks for storing industrial process heat appear to be a valuable tool in reducing the cost of transitioning to clean, renewable energy across all energy sectors

Read: https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/a...gae274/7710221

https://newatlas.com/energy/firebric...-clean-energy/