While hybrid cars have become a familiar concept, the emergence of hybrid cement and glass plants is set to revolutionize the industry. Traditionally reliant on fossil fuels, these plants are now being transformed by innovative startups, including NOC Energy, which has developed a method to integrate electric heating into existing facilities. This approach not only reduces fossil fuel consumption but also offers cost savings for companies.
"We hybridize industrial processes," stated Carlos Ceballos, co-founder and CEO of NOC Energy. He emphasized that many companies are eager to electrify but are hesitant to completely abandon fossil fuels, seeking the flexibility to choose the most economical energy sources during the transition.
NOC Energy has created an electric heating system that can be retrofitted onto current fossil fuel-powered plants. This system allows operators to channel heat directly into glass kilns or various stages of cement production. Notably, if electricity prices surge, operators can revert to fossil fuels, ensuring economic stability.
The technology is capable of generating heat at temperatures up to 1,200˚ C, with aspirations to reach 1,500˚ C. Such high temperatures have typically been achievable only through fossil fuels or hydrogen, which remains prohibitively expensive in its clean form. NOC faces minimal competition in this niche, with Electrified Thermal Solutions emerging as a potential rival.
Recently, NOC secured a $2.7 million seed funding round, led by 360 Capital and supported by SOSV and Desai VC. Their initial customers are expected to adopt the hybrid model, taking advantage of the system's capacity to store heat for extended periods. This feature allows companies to utilize electricity when prices are low, such as during peak renewable energy production, and tap into stored heat during price spikes.
The core of NOC's system revolves around induction heating technology, akin to that used in modern kitchen stoves. By employing copper coils to create magnetic fields, the system generates heat in nearby metals, specifically steel spheres housed within large ceramic containers.
These induction coils remain insulated, preventing direct contact with the heat they produce. This innovative design allows the system to maintain room temperature while efficiently heating the steel spheres, which can then release heat as needed for industrial processes.
NOC's robust insulation enables the storage of heat for several hours, with the option to scale the system according to the desired duration of heat retention. The startup has successfully operated a pilot system for over 15,000 hours and is currently preparing to activate two larger demonstration units in France, one for a glass manufacturer and the other for a cement producer.
"Being hybrid allows them to derisk the future," Ceballos concluded, highlighting the appeal of this technology amidst current geopolitical challenges.
