IS THIS THE ANSWER TO ENERGY STORAGE?

EV Channels Review

This video delves into MIT's research on carbon cement supercapacitors as a potential solution for bulk energy storage. The presenter highlights the significant challenge of storing energy from intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind, contrasting it with the steady output of fossil fuel plants. While current solutions like pumped hydro, EV batteries for grid storage, and large battery facilities exist, they often involve high costs, complex manufacturing, or large land footprints. The MIT study proposes incorporating carbon black into cement, creating a conductive network that allows the material to act as a supercapacitor. A 45 cubic meter block could theoretically store 10 kWh, enough for average daily home usage. The key advantages are the low cost and integration into existing building processes, potentially forming foundations. However, significant drawbacks are identified: the volumetric energy density is poor compared to existing supercapacitors, and the electrolyte (potassium chloride) requires constant saturation, posing challenges in hot, dry climates or areas prone to flooding. The interaction with reinforcing steel in foundations also remains an open question. Despite these issues, the research is presented as a promising step towards more affordable and accessible clean energy storage.