Innovating for a Greener Future
Shabbos Shalom is a startup from Heidelberg, South Africa with a bold vision: to contribute to a greener economy through the development of innovative energy storage solutions. Our focus is on building thermal batteries, a revolutionary technology poised to disrupt the energy landscape.
Introduction to Shabbos Shalom
Our Mission
Research and Innovation
The Need for Sustainable Energy Storage
Dependence on Fossil Fuels
Intermittent Renewable Energy
Sustainable Future
Prototype Design and Functionality
Charging
Thermal batteries are charged by using excess heat from industrial processes or renewable energy sources.
Discharge
When energy is needed, the stored heat is released, driving a thermoelectric generator to produce electricity.
Efficiency
Thermal batteries offer high efficiency, with minimal energy losses during charging and discharge cycles.
How Thermal Batteries Work
Our thermal battery energy storage system combines the unique properties of molten salt and sand with Phase Change Materials
(PCMs) to store and release thermal energy with exceptional efficiency and stability
Charging Phase
Excess or off-peak energy—whether thermal or electrical converted to heat—is used to raise the temperature of the molten salt, which acts as a high-capacity heat transfer and storage medium. The molten salt, heated to its operating temperature, transfers thermal energy to the sand and PCM layers. The PCM absorbs a large amount of latent heat as it undergoes a phase change from solid to liquid, effectively storing energy at a stable, controlled temperature.
Storage Phase
The sand serves as a durable, thermally stable matrix that holds the molten salt and PCM in place, providing excellent thermal mass and insulation. This combination minimizes heat loss, allowing the system to retain stored thermal energy efficiently over extended periods.
Discharging Phase
When energy demand increases, the PCM solidifies, releasing its stored latent heat. Simultaneously, the molten salt and sand release sensible heat, providing a continuous and controlled supply of thermal energy. This heat can be directly utilized in industrial processes or converted back into electricity as needed.
Thermal Batteries: The Next Generation
1. Energy Storage
2. Thermal Energy
Thermal batteries store energy in the form of heat, which can be released
on demand to generate electricity.
3. Phase Change Material
They use phase change materials that absorb and release
thermal energy, providing long-duration storage.
This integrated system leverages the high thermal capacity of molten salt, the insulating and structural benefits of sand, and the energy-dense phase change properties of PCMs.
Together, they enable thousands of reliable charge-discharge cycles with minimal degradation, offering a robust and efficient solution for industrial thermal energy storage.
Learn more about us
Shabbos Shalom is dedicated to driving the transition to a greener future. We
invite organisations to join us in this journey by partnering with us and
embracing innovative energy storage solutions. Together, we can create a
more sustainable and prosperous world.
Advantages of Thermal Batteries over Lithium-Ion
Cost-Effective
Thermal batteries are significantly cheaper to manufacture than lithium-ion batteries, making them a more affordable energy storage solution.
Enhanced Safety
They pose no fire or explosion risks, unlike lithium-ion batteries, ensuring a safer operating environment.
Longer Lifespan
Thermal batteries have a much longer lifespan than lithium-ion batteries, requiring less frequent replacements.
Advantages and Unique Features of Our Approach
Advanced Phase Change Materials (PCMs): We use specially formulated PCMs optimized for South African industrial temperature ranges, typically between 120°C and 350°C, ensuring maximum energy density, thermal stability, and consistent performance even under rigorous thermal cycling.
Modular and Scalable Design: Our thermal batteries are designed to be fully modular and scalable, fitting diverse industrial scales from small manufacturing plants to large-scale mining operations allowing flexible deployment and easy capacity expansion.
Rapid Charge/Discharge Cycles: The system supports fast thermal cycling with charge and discharge times as short as 1 to 3 hours, enabling industries to respond flexibly to fluctuating energy demands and grid conditions without compromising material integrity.
Low Thermal Losses: Utilizing superior insulation technologies combined with sand’s exceptional heat resistance (up to 1000°C) and molten salt’s stability at 250°C to 600°C, our system minimizes heat loss during storage, maximizing overall efficiency and energy retention.
Integration with Renewable Energy: The thermal battery can efficiently store excess renewable energy sources such as solar thermal and industrial waste heat, dispatching it on demand to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support South Africa’s transition to cleaner energy.
Robust and Durable: Engineered to withstand harsh South African industrial environments, the system’s materials—including molten salt and sand—offer exceptional thermal fatigue resistance and mechanical strength. This ensures a lifespan exceeding 15 years with over 10,000 reliable charge-discharge cycles, requiring minimal maintenance and providing long-term operational
stability.
Key Benefits for Industrial Clients in South Africa
Cost Savings: By storing energy during off-peak hours or from renewable sources and using it during peak demand, industries can significantly reduce electricity costs, especially important given South Africa’s fluctuating energy tariffs and load shedding challenges.
Energy Security and Reliability: Thermal batteries provide a buffer against power interruptions, helping industries maintain continuous operations despite Eskom’s grid instability.
Carbon Emission Reduction: By enabling greater use of renewable energy and reducing dependence on coal-fired electricity, our solution supports South Africa’s Presidential Commission Climate (PCC) decarbonization goals and corporate sustainability to net zero commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Process Efficiency: Stable, on-demand thermal energy improves process control and product quality in sectors like metals, chemicals, and food processing.
Regulatory Compliance and Incentives: Helps industries meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations and qualify for
green energy incentives and carbon credits.
Roadmap to Commercialization
We are currently in the research & development phase, demonstrating
the viability and scalability of our thermal battery technology.
We are seeking partnerships with various organisations to conduct our
market survey analysis and implement our thermal battery solution to scale up production.
We are aiming for a commercial launch within the next few years,
making our thermal batteries available to the market.