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Thermal batteries operate by storing electricity as heat using materials like graphite, bricks, or clay. These devices can maintain high temperatures—exceeding 3000°F—allowing for energy to be stored for hours or even days until it is released back to the grid as electricity.
The use of non-rare materials sidesteps the supply chain issues faced by conventional battery technologies like lithium-ion, which depend heavily on specific minerals such as lithium and cobalt. Thermal batteries not only make economic sense but also offer environmental benefits by utilizing materials that are more abundant and sustainable.