While it may be relatively straightforward to transition certain things away from fossil fuels, like swapping out home furnaces for heat pumps or replacing traditional vehicles with electric alternatives, it’s a more challenging task for industries such as cement and steelmaking that heavily rely on the heating power of fossil fuels. But Dan Stack believes the humble brick could be part of the solution.
Bricks might have the potential to disrupt the energy sector, according to Stack.
For the past ten years, Stack has been dedicated to the task of transforming ordinary bricks into devices capable of converting electricity into heat and storing it for extended periods. By modifying fire bricks, commonly used in industries like glassmaking, Stack and his team at Electrified Thermal Solutions (ETS), where he serves as co-founder and CEO, have succeeded in transforming these bricks into electrical conductors that can generate intense heat.
ETS is currently operating a prototype the size of an elevator and the data collected will be used to develop a larger, commercially viable model.
Stack shared with TechCrunch, saying “we’ve clocked thousands of hours now.” The ETS bricks, based on existing fire bricks, are designed to provide heat for a long duration – they can withstand temperatures over 1,700 degrees Celsius for many years, he explained.
The company’s Joule Hive thermal batteries are planned to operate non-stop, as most industries require heat all year round. However, to compete with natural gas in terms of cost, the bricks must be charged when electricity prices are low, such as during periods of excess wind or solar power, Stack pointed out.
The ability to absorb most of the energy within a few hours is advantageous, Stack said, because it allows companies to benefit from not only low prices but also incentives from grid operators for flexible electricity usage.
In certain regions where renewable energy is abundant and natural gas is costly, Stack believes that their systems can offer a return on investment compared to the current natural gas consumption. He sees increasing indicators that they can compete directly with fossil fuels in more sectors.
Initially, ETS is targeting industries that require large amounts of heat, but not the highest temperatures. These include drying, steam generation, and cement calcination. Stack anticipates that the company will eventually reach 1,800 degrees C, making the bricks suitable for other industries such as steelmaking. These bricks could even potentially be used to power turbines in natural gas power plants, further reducing fossil fuel use.
Stack revealed that ETS plans to launch its commercial-scale demonstration in mid-2025. To achieve this, the company has secured $19 million in a pre-Series A funding round, with investors including Clean Energy Ventures, Clean Energy Venture Group, EDP Ventures, GVP Climate, Holcim Maqer Ventures, Mass Ventures, Starlight Ventures, TechEnergy Ventures, Tupras Ventures, and Vale Ventures.
