Rondo Energy, a leading provider of zero-carbon industrial heat, and Calgren Renewable Fuels, a producer of the world’s lowest carbon intensity (CI) biofuels, announced the start of commercial operation of a 2MWh Rondo Heat Battery (RHB) at Calgren’s facility in Pixley, California.

The Rondo Heat Battery captures intermittent renewable electricity, stores it at very high temperatures in brick materials, and delivers continuous industrial heat on demand. Calgren Renewable Fuels produces the world’s lowest CI ethanol, biodiesel, and renewable natural gas at their Pixley facility.

Rondo is proud to be working with Calgren on this first step in further reducing both the cost of production and the carbon intensity of today’s biofuels. Without any process or feedstock changes, biofuels produced using clean Rondo heat and power double the CO2 savings per gallon.

The RHB is delivering heat to Calgren on a Heat-as-a-Service (HaaS) basis, supplying energy at a cost per MMBtu lower than gas-fired heat. Rondo’s HaaS enables industrial producers to enjoy low and predictable energy costs without upfront capital.

“This partnership is one small step for Rondo and Calgren, and one giant leap forward for industrial decarbonization worldwide. We’re excited to be working with Calgren on this journey. Repowering today’s industrial facilities to drive deep decarbonization—this is what the energy transition looks like,” said John O’Donnell, CEO of Rondo Energy.

“From construction through commissioning, my team and I were impressed that the Rondo Heat Battery caused no disruption or slow-down to Calgren’s operations,” said Lyle Schlyer, President of Calgren Renewable Fuels.

"We’re looking forward to this unit proving itself, because we see the Rondo Heat Battery as a potential “perfect fit” solution for us—a low-cost source of zero-carbon heat for our facilities that can extend our reach toward the lowest-carbon, highest-value biofuels produced anywhere.”