New type of concrete stores energy

Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are exploring ways to harness energy storage in concrete.

They have developed a concrete known as ec3, which can store and release electrical energy. This has the potential to turn concrete flooring and walls into large-scale batteries.

This ec3 concrete is made by mixing cement with water, ultra-fine carbon black and electrolytes. This creates a conductive network inside the concrete that can store approximately 2 kilowatt-hours per cubic metre, which is enough to power a household fridge for a day.

The new concrete can be cast into any shape. making it suitable for floors, walls and car parks, turning them into energy storage systems.

The MIT research team has successfully conducted a small-scale demonstration using ec3 to power an LED light. They see many potential uses for the new concrete. It could be used on roads that charge electric vehicles without needing to stop at charging stations. Buildings with solar panels could store excess energy in the new concrete, while wind farms may need systems to store energy until it is needed.

Traditional batteries contain toxic materials and fail after a few years. Power storage in concrete is a non-polluting alternative to batteries that could operate efficiently during the entire lifespan of a building.

The MIT team believe that ec3 could make a valuable contribution to a cleaner energy future by turning any type of building into a battery. They are developing other ec3 versions that contain sustainable electrolytes from seawater.