Incredible! They use a massive arc furnace (used for steel recycling) to recycle concrete. They suggest that solar power could power the arc furnaces, resulting in zero emission concrete. As concrete currently constitutes 7.5% of anthropogenic carbon emissions, this tech could make a big difference.
Arc furnaces are crazy energy intensive. But if solar power keeps doubling every 2 years, we will very soon have way more power than we know what to do with (at certain times in the day). Arc furnaces are a good way to suck up the negative electricity spot prices!
Arc furnaces are crazy energy intensive. But if solar power keeps doubling every 2 years, we will very soon have way more power than we know what to do with (at certain times in the day). Arc furnaces are a good way to suck up the negative electricity spot prices!