Manufacturing Scale-up of Record-Breaking Solid-State Heat Engine for Deep Decarbonization in California
The purpose of this project to design and build out out of a low-rate initial production pilot production line for thermophotovoltaic cells that convert radiant heat into electricity.
Antora Energy, Inc.
Recipient
Sunnyvale, CA
Recipient Location
10th
Senate District
26th
Assembly District
$2,999,695
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
This project was completed in 2024. Antora was able to successfully bring online a pilot production line capable of producing 2 MW of its innovative thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells per year. The project team was able to validate the rate of production while also conducting overall quality assurance/quality checks of the TPV cells produced from the line to ensure a high yield. The TPV cells are a critical component of Antora's thermal storage system, allowing the efficient transfer of stored heat to electricity.
View Final ReportThe Issue
Increased risk of wildfires in California has created an urgent and growing need for long-duration energy storage technologies to help alleviate the burdens associated with public safety power shutoff events. Currently options, such as diesel generators and lithium-ion batteries, do not possess the desired properties for this challenge as California heads to achieve the Senate Bill 100 renewable energy goal. Attempts to use alternative solutions, such thermal energy storage, have been hinder by the lack of a suitable heat engine, high costs, frequent maintenance requirements, poor efficiencies, a lack of operational flexibility, and dramatically reduced performance at smaller size scales.
Project Innovation
The purpose of this Agreement is to fund the design and build-out of a low-rate initial production (LRIP) pilot production line for thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells that convert radiant heat into electricity. The novel TPV cells are combined with inexpensive thermal storage media at high temperatures to produce a cost-effective long-duration energy storage system. The project will improve the existing TPV cell processing to full-wafer production, design and install a compatible TPV cell fabrication toolset, and demonstrate production.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
This Agreement will lead to technological advancement and breakthroughs to overcome barriers to the achievement of the State of California's statutory energy goals by demonstrating a ready supply chain for the components of a long-duration thermal battery, from a California-based LRIP line at MRL 8 or higher. To do this, long-duration energy storage is a necessary, and currently missing, piece of the energy puzzle. The Recipient has developed a record-breaking type of solid-state heat engine that unlocks multiple renewable energy applications critical to achieving a reliable, inexpensive, and zero-carbon energy system. The TPV heat engine, which operates like a solar photovoltaic panel and converts heat radiated from any high-temperature source directly into electricity, is high-efficiency, low-cost, and solid-state.
Affordability
Antora’s TPV-enabled thermal batteries have extremely low capital and operating costs and are one of the lowest-cost options for providing long-duration power during PSPS events. In addition, they can provide valuable, year-round grid services outside of PSPS events.
Safety
Without any reactive chemical electrolytes or other flammable materials, fire danger is greatly reduced compared to lithium-ion batteries and other electrochemical technologies.
Subrecipients
Precision Semiconductor
MicroLink Devices
Match Partners
Antora Energy, Inc.
MicroLink Devices
