Lehigh University Builds 150 kWh Thermal Battery for Data Centers
The prototype stored heat at up to 500 degrees Celsius and ran at over 70 percent efficiency across one full charge and discharge cycle.
Researchers at Lehigh University have developed a concrete-based thermal battery prototype that captures heat produced by data center computing equipment and releases it later on demand, according to TechRadar.
The prototype has a storage capacity of 150 kWh. In testing, it withstood temperatures of up to 500 degrees Celsius and reached energy efficiency above 70 percent over one full charge and discharge cycle.
The system pairs a cement-based material with a heat siphon, a configuration the researchers describe as a hybrid arrangement. It supports two charging methods: direct recovery of waste heat from data center servers and electrical heating of the storage device. Heat recovered from a data center can be raised to a range of 120 to 220 degrees Celsius.
The researchers say the stored heat can be supplied to absorption chillers, drying processes, district heating and industrial heat sources. They also proposed using it in low-temperature Rankine cycle equipment for power generation, and say the design can be scaled from kilowatt-class to megawatt-class facilities.
The work received partial funding from a U.S. federal energy-related program, and the license has been transferred to a private energy company.
Why data centers are looking at waste heat
As AI spreads, power consumption and cooling load at data centers are growing, making waste-heat storage technology emerge as an energy efficiency option.
Quick answers
How much energy can the Lehigh University thermal battery store?
The prototype has a storage capacity of 150 kWh.
What temperatures can the thermal battery handle?
In testing it withstood temperatures of up to 500 degrees Celsius and achieved energy efficiency above 70 percent over one full charge and discharge cycle.
What can the stored heat be used for?
According to the researchers, it can be supplied to absorption chillers, drying processes, district heating and industrial heat sources, and used in low-temperature Rankine cycle equipment for power generation.