Cleaner Tech

Bill Gates-Backed Startup Pilots Unique Battery to Help Heavy Industry

Thermal energy storage could help provide heat and electricity for hard-to-decarbonize sectors like cement and steel.

Antora Energy’s battery. The startup’s pilot is up and running in Fresno, California.

Photographer: Kelly Petersen
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A thermal battery startup backed by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures has launched its first commercial-scale system, a major step toward its goal of weaning heavy industry off fossil fuels.

With its pilot project up and running at a facility in Fresno, California, Antora Energy plans to ship the technology to its first buyers in 2025.