The University of Minnesota Morris is piloting a thermal energy storage system from Cache Energy, using limestone-derived pellets to store heat generated from renewable electricity, as part of its effort to decarbonize campus heating.
Partnering with Grid Catalyst, WC CERTs, and Minnesota Energy Alley, the project—located near the Carpentry Shop—is the first demonstration of thermochemical storage technology at a US university, aiming to explore scalable, cost-effective clean heating solutions while supporting broader energy innovation in Minnesota.
Cache Energy developed a cement-based thermal battery that stores heat instead of electricity, using a reversible chemical reaction first discovered by Roman builders, reports the WSJ. The system is also being tested at Whirlpool factories, with potential applications in energy-heavy industries, military installations, and regions with abundant wind and solar power.
