Part 4/8:
With the average capital cost for thermal energy systems at approximately $232 per kilowatt hour, compared to $304 per kilowatt hour for lithium-ion systems, thermal batteries present a significantly lower cost alternative. This positioning is crucial because decarbonizing heavy industry is imperative for reducing greenhouse gas emissions projected to exceed half of total emissions by 2050. By enabling industry to pivot from fossil fuels to clean, affordable energy, thermal batteries could revolutionize manufacturing processes while lowering operational costs.