Israeli company uses air and water to store solar energy for the night

Renewable energy from solar and wind-powered systems in Israel’s far south cannot be stored without extra cost — a major obstacle in the world’s efforts to get rid of polluting fuels and avert a climate catastrophe.

But at Kibbutz Yahel, residents have started using new technology that can store solar energy cheaply and produce energy at night.

During the day, excess energy from the solar panels drives a system where water is used to condense air in underground tanks. After sunset, air is released to power a turbine and generate electricity. And the cycle repeats in the morning.

“Other kibbutzim are waiting and watching to see if this works and it can certainly become the clean energy storage solution for the region,” said Yossi Amiel, Yahel’s business manager.

The system was developed by Augwind Energy, a company traded in Tel Aviv with a market value of 1.2 billion shekels (US$386 million, R$2.1 billion).

Unlike above-ground platforms that run on condensed air and require significant terrain, the company says its product, a relatively thin steel tank with a special polymer coating, can be placed directly into the power source at a lower cost. .

Augwind’s ‘AirBattery’ is about 80% efficient at storing energy, a little less than batteries, but unlike batteries, it doesn’t degrade over time.

The chief executive of Augwind, or Yogev, says the price is on par with lithium-ion batteries, around US$250 (R$1,400) per kilowatt-hour, and that it will drop next year. to less than US$200 (R$1,100) as they reach more customers.

The company has already raised $60m (BRL338.1m) from institutional investors, he said.

“Over the next few years, we will have thousands of megawatt hours installed using ‘AirBattery’ technology. That’s our prediction,” said Yogev. “Even that, when you compare it to the size of the market, it’s still very small.”