Hot 'brick' thermal energy storage suddenly surges in popularity; billionaires pour money into it.

It purchases renewable electricity during low-cost hours of the day. When current passes through graphite, it generates 'resistive heat'—much like the heating element in an electric stove: the greater the current, the higher the graphite temperature, eventually heating the entire carbon block to 1,800°C–2,400°C. Once heated to several thousand degrees Celsius, graphite’s unique properties—exceptional high-temperature resistance, large thermal capacity, and excellent thermal conductivity—enable it to stably store this heat for dozens of hours, even several days. Antora’s co-founder notes that graphite is inexpensive and the system employs a modular design, enabling energy storage durations of multiple days—far exceeding lithium-ion batteries’ typical 2–8 hour range. For several years, global energy transition efforts have focused primarily on wind power, solar power, and lithium-ion batteries. Yet today, an increasing number of investors recognize that lithium-ion batteries alone cannot fully decarbonize the entire energy system. This challenge is especially acute in industrial sectors—such as steel, cement, chemicals, food processing, and paper manufacturing—that have long relied on natural gas, coal, or diesel to generate high-temperature steam and industrial process heat. These applications represent among the world’s most difficult-to-decarbonize segments, because burning coal or natural gas directly is typically far cheaper than generating equivalent heat using electricity. Antora’s thermal battery releases previously stored high-temperature heat via a heat exchanger, delivering it directly to industrial facilities. Put simply: cheap green electricity heats the graphite during the day; the hot graphite continues supplying heat at night. Moreover, Antora has developed thermophotovoltaic (TPV) technology for converting stored thermal energy directly into electricity. If users prefer electricity over direct heat, this technology converts infrared radiation and visible light emitted by the hot graphite block into electrical power. This device operates similarly to solar photovoltaics, transforming infrared radiation and thermal photons from the hot graphite into electricity. Though TPV technology has existed for decades, its conversion efficiency remained low—until Antora’s innovations boosted thermal-to-electric conversion efficiency from 20% to 40%, achieving the world’s highest efficiency in this field. The breakthrough was published in the journal Nature. Beyond cost-effectiveness, thermal batteries offer another clear advantage: rapid deployment. Antora’s first commercial project—the ‘Big Rock’ project—took less than one year from groundbreaking to operational commissioning, with full operations expected by October this year. This speed makes thermal batteries an ideal solution for AI data center developers, who highly value fast power delivery. In this project, Antora’s thermal battery will supply Poet—a biofuel producer—with reliable, sustainable 24/7 energy, enhancing the efficiency and output of Poet’s ethanol plant, ultimately lowering the price consumers pay for ethanol at gas stations. It will also expand production opportunities for corn farmers in South Dakota, whose crops will gain access to a larger market for ethanol production. Political leaders across South Dakota—including officials where the project is located—have praised the initiative, calling it “a critical investment in reliable energy that will strengthen South Dakota’s role in securing America’s domestic energy leadership.” Antora earns revenue by selling energy; the ethanol plant reduces its energy costs; and local employment increases—creating a triple win.

I-526 approval for California AE Bioenergy EB-5 project draws enthusiastic response at Beijing launch event.

Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Qingdao, June 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — On the afternoon of June 14, World Trade Bridge’s Beijing office held a grand launch event for its latest U.S. EB-5 investment immigration project—the California AE Bioenergy Project—at the China World Hotel in Beijing. Dozens of investors in attendance responded enthusiastically to this EB-5 project—distinguished by numerous advantages, including I-526 approval—and highly commended World Trade Bridge’s professional capability in curating high-quality projects. The California AE Bioenergy Project marks World Trade Bridge’s latest globally launched premium project—following six other projects sold out within five months in 2014—and its second new-energy project after the California Solar Power Project. At this Beijing launch event, World Trade Bridge specially invited Mr. Eric McPhail, Chairman and CEO of AE Advanced Fuels—the U.S.-based project sponsor—to deliver an authoritative presentation. Dr. Winner Xing, President of World Trade Bridge, also attended to guide investors on how to correctly select EB-5 projects. New-energy projects boast enormous market demand and promising prospects. Mr. Eric McPhail, Chairman and CEO of AE Advanced Fuels—who traveled specially from the United States—first outlined strong federal and California state government support for new-energy initiatives. To reduce carbon emissions and decrease dependence on imported oil, California mandated in 2010 that every gallon of gasoline sold must contain 10% ethanol. California’s annual ethanol demand is projected to reach 1.5 billion gallons, while AE Advanced Fuels produces 60 million gallons annually—revealing a massive supply gap for ethanol producers in California. As the project sponsor of the California AE Bioenergy Project, AE Advanced Fuels is the most advanced ethanol biofuel facility in the United States—and the first U.S. plant capable of producing ethanol from two distinct feedstocks (corn and sorghum), significantly enhancing its resilience against raw material price fluctuations. Ethanol is one of the new-energy sources most actively supported by all levels of the U.S. government; thus, the California AE Bioenergy Project secured swift U.S. immigration approval, and its job creation model and employment data have been formally recognized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). AE Advanced Fuels is a leading enterprise in the ethanol production industry, with strong future growth prospects—it achieved profitability in Q1 2014. Why does World Trade Bridge recommend I-526-approved projects? Investing in U.S. permanent residency hinges critically on selecting the right EB-5 project. So why does World Trade Bridge recommend the California AE Bioenergy Project to investors?

$40M Upgrade at California Ethanol Plant Aims to Cut Gas Use 80%

Jun 17, 2026

Aemetis Inc. is upgrading its California ethanol plant with a $40M system to cut natural gas use by 80%, boosting cash flow by $32M. Supported by grants, the project targets operation by late 2026.

Stock Titan

2026-03-25

Biofuels Conference Gives Aemetis CEO Lifetime Achievement Honor

2026-03-25

Aemetis CEO Eric McAfee Receives Holmberg Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Bioeconomy

2026-03-28

Aemetis Price Target Increased by 59.28% to $11.27

2026-04-14

Aemetis Price Target Increased by 59.28% to $11.27

2026-04-27

Aemetis Schedules 2026 Annual Meeting