Heineken is deploying the world’s largest industrial thermal battery in Portugal, a move designed to entirely eliminate fossil fuels from its beer production and showcase a scalable solution for global industrial decarbonization.
The pioneering project, developed in partnership with Rondo Energy and EDP, will integrate a 100-megawatt-hour (MWh) thermal battery at Heineken’s Central de Cervejas e Bebidas brewery near Lisbon. This system will continuously supply 7 megawatts (MW) of renewable steam to the facility.
This innovative approach uses low-cost electricity from solar and other renewable sources, storing it as high-temperature heat in a durable solid system. The resulting steam is chemically identical to that produced by traditional fossil fuel boilers, but without any emissions.
The initiative has secured $81 million in funding from the European Investment Bank and Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, earmarked for expanding this technology across Europe. The Portuguese installation is intended as a crucial benchmark for achieving carbon-neutral industrial processes globally.
The facility’s energy will come from a new 7 MW on-site solar plant and a long-term renewable electricity contract from the grid. This strategy takes advantage of the Iberian Peninsula’s abundant solar resources and falling electricity prices.
Rondo Energy’s thermal battery technology utilizes refractory bricks, heating them with renewable electricity to over 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 degrees Fahrenheit). This stored energy is then released as high-pressure steam, completely bypassing combustion, natural gas use, and associated emissions.
Unlike chemical batteries, the thermal system avoids the need for rare metals, resists degradation over time, and promises decades of operation with minimal maintenance. Its modular design also allows for adaptation across various industrial sectors.
The project operates under a “Heat-as-a-Service” model. Heineken will pay for the clean steam it consumes, rather than purchasing the battery or solar infrastructure directly.
Under this model, Rondo Energy provides the core technology. EDP manages the solar installation, grid connection, and energy delivery.
This model aims to reduce financial barriers and risks for companies transitioning to climate neutrality. Broader implications include stabilizing electrical grids by absorbing surplus renewable energy and fostering local job creation.
Industrial processes account for over 30% of global emissions. Solutions like the thermal battery, already operational, demonstrate a viable path to significantly reduce this impact and create a cleaner, competitive industrial future.