Ocean-Based Storage Could Transform Clean Energy

The emergence of new ocean-based storage technology could provide a potential breakthrough in the long-duration clean energy development.

The storage sector of the global energy market is poised to become the next trillion-dollar industry in clean energy, driven by the increasing demand for reliable renewable energy sources and the rapid growth of AI development. With countries increasingly becoming dependent on clean energy, analysts are alarmed by the fact that long-term storage will be critical in ensuring a stable grid and also to help power a net-zero future in the country, which will demand over 6 TWh storage capacities.

Currently, lithium-ion batteries dominate the energy storage market due to their effectiveness and established supply chains. They, however, have their share of problems with their four-hour storage capacity as clean energy systems grow. Industry analysts stress that clean energy momentum can only be maintained with alternatives that can store power for days or even seasons.

A good candidate is pumped hydro storage, which has traditionally been a stable but geographically limited option. Conventional pumped hydro projects have challenges such as the high costs, environmental implications, and water shortages due to climatic conditions.

Italian startup Sizable Energy is set to shatter such obstacles using a novel pumped hydro solution that is based in the ocean. The company leverages seawater and offshore facilities to overcome land limitations and engineering challenges. Its gravity-governing one involves inflatable seabed and surface reservoirs, that is, a floating-shaped donut that is linked to grids on land to regenerate power.

With the support of seed funding of $8 million and successful tests in the deep waters, the project may transform the long-duration storage in case the pilot succeeds. According to analysts, these breakthroughs are essential in scaling clean energy the world over and in sustaining the energy requirements of 154 countries on the coastlines.