EDP Renováveis S A : & Rondo Energy partner to decarbonize industrial heat production

Rondo is a leading provider of zero-carbon industrial heat and power, making deep industrial decarbonization both possible and profitable. Rondo not only helps replace fossil fuels for some of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize, but its technology can also help stabilize the grid by adding a highly flexible electricity demand that can soak up renewable power when there is an abundance on the grid. Rondo Heat Batteries are proven at scale to enable low-cost heat and electricity for customers, all from intermittent renewable electricity.

EDP is a global leader in renewable energy development in large-scale and distributed generation projects, with around 16 GWs of wind and solar deployed around the world and have pledged to be 100% green by 2030. The company is also a global supplier of energy and renewable solutions from SMEs to large industrial clients. This expertise will accelerate the deployment of Rondo Heat Batteries as a simple drop-in replacement for traditional gas-fired boilers for EDP's customers who aim to lower costs and achieve deep decarbonization. Project deliveries with EDP are expected to begin in 2025.

Cooperation between EDP and Rondo started in 2023 through Free Electrons, one of EDP's flagship cleantech engagement programs that source solutions from cutting-edge cleantech companies from around the globe.

This partnershipunlocks a massive new market, by progressively replacing the fossil fuel burned for industrial heat, which currently releases 15% of world CO2. Repowering industrial heat with renewable energy worldwide is a 7TW opportunity and is one of the greatest opportunities of our time to combat climate change with speed and scale. The recentSystemIQ study on industrial heatfound that heat battery deployment can cut world greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, which includes the benefits heat batteries bring to the electricity system and eliminate combustion of fossil gas by up to 40%.

More about EDP

EDP is a global utility with a presence in four world regions - Europe, North America, South America, and Asia. The company produces, distributes, and supplies electricity and aims to be 100% renewable by 2030. So far, the company has surpassed 85% of renewable production.

Besides being a leader in energy supply in Iberia, EDP already has a global leading position in solar Distributed Generation projects and is a leader among European-based players. With more than a decade of experience, the group has installed to date around 1.7 GWp of solar DG capacity with business and residential clients worldwide, of which 1.3 GWp through the As-a-Service model (in which EDP secures 100% of the initial investment and contracts a long-term PPA with the client).

Operating solar DG in 17 markets worldwide, the group has a strong track record and dedicated teams that have already deployed more than 130 thousand installations in residential houses (in Europe) and in small businesses to large-size corporate companies, across Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, and Brazil. This achievement showcases EDP's solid ability to secure clients globally while contributing to a more sustainable planet for all.

More about Rondo's solution

Rondo is purpose-built for industrial facilities: its Heat Batteries are constructed from proven, durable materials and are designed for seamless integration with existing industrial equipment and processes. Whether deployed as a drop-in replacement for retiring fossil-fueled heating equipment or as a resilient complement to existing systems, Rondo requires no disruptive changes to customers' operations.

Rondo currently operates the world's highest temperature, highest efficiency commercial energy storage system, at Calgren Renewable Fuels in Pixley, California. Working with its partner Siam Cement Group (SCG), Rondo is expanding the production capacity of its storage media from its current 2 GWh/yr to an industry-leading 90 GWh per year.

This clean, source of low-cost heat creates and maintains local jobs, making local industries more competitive and improving air quality. Rondo Heat Batteries are a zero-combustion technology that, unlike a gas-fired boiler, emits zero NOx, SOx, or Particulate Matter (PM) that worsens local air quality and harms community health.