Website: [rondo.com](https://www.rondo.com) ### Introduction Rondo Energy, founded in 2020, is a clean energy company headquartered in Alameda, California. The company was established by a team of engineers and energy experts, including co-founders John O’Donnell (CEO) and Eric Trusiewicz (CTO), with a mission to decarbonize industrial processes by providing low-cost, zero-emission heat and power through innovative thermal energy storage solutions. While specific employee counts are not publicly available as of the latest data, Rondo Energy operates as a private company and has not yet gone public, thus lacking a ticker symbol. The core focus of Rondo Energy is to address the challenge of industrial heat, which accounts for a significant portion of global carbon emissions. Their technology aims to convert intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar into continuous, high-temperature heat for industrial applications, offering a scalable solution to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The company has gained attention for its novel approach to energy storage and its potential to transform heavy industry sectors. ### Key Products and Technology - **Rondo Heat Battery (Thermal Energy Storage System)** - **Type**: Thermal energy storage using ceramic brick materials. - **Technical Specifications**: Capable of delivering continuous high-temperature heat up to 1500°C with an efficiency of approximately 98%. The system can store energy for extended periods and recently commissioned a 100 MWh facility in California as of October 2025 ([CleanTechnica](https://cleantechnica.com/2025/10/17/good-news-bad-news-as-rondo-energy-100-mwh-heat-storage-facility-goes-live/)). - **Energy Source**: Utilizes intermittent renewable electricity from wind and solar to charge the battery. - **Key Differentiators**: Low-cost materials (ceramic bricks), high efficiency, and the ability to provide 24/7 industrial heat without emissions. The simplicity and scalability of the design make it a cost-effective alternative to fossil fuel-based heat sources. - **Development Stage**: Operational, with the first large-scale 100 MWh system live in California as of October 2025 and additional projects planned in Europe ([Rondo Energy](https://www.rondo.com/news-press)). - **Target Customers**: Industrial sectors such as food production, chemical manufacturing, clean fuel production, and other heavy industries requiring consistent high-temperature heat. Rondo Energy’s technology stands out for its focus on industrial decarbonization, a sector often overlooked in favor of grid-scale electricity storage. Their solution addresses a critical gap by enabling industries to transition to renewable energy without sacrificing reliability or cost-effectiveness. ### Regulatory and Licensing Status As a thermal energy storage company, Rondo Energy does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) or require nuclear-specific licensing. Instead, its regulatory considerations primarily involve environmental compliance, local permitting for project installations, and adherence to energy storage and grid interconnection standards in various regions. There are no publicly documented major regulatory hurdles or milestones specific to Rondo’s technology as of the latest information available. The company’s projects, such as the recently commissioned 100 MWh facility in California, suggest that it has successfully navigated local and state-level regulatory processes for deployment. Upcoming regulatory focuses may include securing approvals for international expansions, particularly in Europe, where Rondo has announced projects funded by [[Breakthrough Energy Ventures|Breakthrough Energy]] Catalyst and the European Investment Bank ([Rondo Energy](https://www.rondo.com/news-press/rondo-energy-announces-75m-project-funding-with-breakthrough-energy-catalyst-and-the-european-investment-bank)). An estimated timeline for broader commercial deployment appears to be within the next 1-3 years, given the operational status of their first large-scale system and ongoing project announcements. ### Team and Leadership - **John O’Donnell (CEO & Co-Founder)**: A veteran in the energy sector with experience in renewable energy technologies and industrial processes. O’Donnell leads Rondo’s strategic vision to decarbonize industrial heat. - **Eric Trusiewicz (CTO & Co-Founder)**: An engineer with expertise in thermal systems and energy storage, Trusiewicz oversees the technical development of the Rondo Heat Battery. Specific social media handles for the leadership team are not verified or publicly highlighted in the available data, and thus are omitted. The team’s background in energy innovation and industrial applications positions Rondo Energy well to address the niche market of industrial heat decarbonization. ### Funding and Financial Position Rondo Energy has secured significant funding to support its growth. As of the most recent data, the company announced a €75 million project funding round in June 2024, backed by Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and the European Investment Bank, to support three heat battery installations in Europe ([Rondo Energy](https://www.rondo.com/news-press/rondo-energy-announces-75m-project-funding-with-breakthrough-energy-catalyst-and-the-european-investment-bank)). Detailed historical funding totals and earlier rounds are available through platforms like Crunchbase and Tracxn, though exact cumulative figures are not specified in the latest public announcements ([Crunchbase](https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/rondo-energy); [Tracxn](https://tracxn.com/d/companies/rondo-energy/__a08M2tZ2Rr9f41c1w7isKGjSP8FA4nqNE80sn-BFRek/funding-and-investors)). As a private company, Rondo does not have a public market cap or stock performance data. Key backers include prominent climate-focused investors like Breakthrough Energy, signaling strong institutional confidence in their technology. The company appears to be in a pre-revenue or early-revenue stage, with revenue likely tied to pilot projects and initial deployments rather than full commercial scale as of late 2025. ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 23, 2025 | Media Coverage on Technology | Rondo’s brick-based battery highlighted for 98% efficiency in industrial heat decarbonization ([GlobalSpec via X](https://x.com/ShannonCuthrell/status/2003531382178611396)). | | Oct 20, 2025 | World’s Largest Heat Battery | Rondo powered up a 100 MWh industrial heat battery in California, delivering continuous high-temperature steam from renewables ([Jan Rosenow via X](https://x.com/janrosenow/status/1980316686235623563)). | | Oct 17, 2025 | Commissioning of 100 MWh Facility | First large-scale heat battery goes live in California, with expansion plans in Europe noted ([CleanTechnica](https://cleantechnica.com/2025/10/17/good-news-bad-news-as-rondo-energy-100-mwh-heat-storage-facility-goes-live/)). | | Jul 30, 2025 | Funding History Update | Detailed funding round history and investor list updated on Tracxn platform ([Tracxn](https://tracxn.com/d/companies/rondo-energy/__a08M2tZ2Rr9f41c1w7isKGjSP8FA4nqNE80sn-BFRek/funding-and-investors)). | | Jun, 2024 | €75M Project Funding | Funding secured with Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and European Investment Bank for European projects ([Rondo Energy](https://www.rondo.com/news-press/rondo-energy-announces-75m-project-funding-with-breakthrough-energy-catalyst-and-the-european-investment-bank)). | ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Siam Cement Group (SCG)**: A manufacturing partnership to produce 90 GWh/year of ceramic bricks for Rondo’s heat batteries, enabling large-scale production and cost reduction. This collaboration strengthens Rondo’s supply chain for global deployment ([Jesse Jenkins via X](https://x.com/JesseJenkins/status/1673487363819859968)). - **H&M**: A strategic partnership to decarbonize H&M’s supply chain using Rondo’s thermal batteries, showcasing the technology’s applicability to consumer goods industries ([David Roberts via X](https://x.com/drvolts/status/1813642215882969323)). - **Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and European Investment Bank**: Financial and strategic backing for European project deployments, providing capital and credibility for international expansion ([Rondo Energy](https://www.rondo.com/news-press/rondo-energy-announces-75m-project-funding-with-breakthrough-energy-catalyst-and-the-european-investment-bank)). These partnerships highlight Rondo’s focus on scaling production and targeting diverse industrial applications, from heavy manufacturing to fashion supply chains, while leveraging high-profile climate investment networks. ### New Hampshire Relevance Rondo Energy’s thermal storage technology could have potential relevance for [[New Hampshire]], particularly in supporting industrial heat needs and grid stability within the ISO-NE (Independent System Operator New England) region. While Rondo’s current projects are concentrated in California and Europe, the Northeast US, including New Hampshire, hosts significant industrial activity that could benefit from decarbonized heat solutions. Proximity to the ISO-NE grid offers opportunities for integrating Rondo’s systems to store excess renewable energy and provide consistent power or heat for industrial users near [[Seabrook Station]] or other energy hubs. The technology appears ready for deployment, given the operational status of the 100 MWh facility in California, aligning with potential near-term deployment timelines in New Hampshire if interest arises. Rondo’s focus on industrial heat may align with New Hampshire legislative initiatives like HB 710, which emphasizes clean energy innovation, though specific SMR provisions in state policy may not directly apply to non-nuclear thermal storage. Potential applications include providing heat for industrial facilities, supporting data center energy needs with stored renewable power, or stabilizing grid load during peak demand. There are no documented direct connections to New Hampshire or expressed interest in the Northeast as of the latest data, but the region’s industrial base and renewable energy goals suggest a viable market. ### Competitive Position Rondo Energy competes in the thermal energy storage and industrial decarbonization space with companies like [[Antora Energy]], which also focuses on high-temperature thermal storage using different materials (carbon blocks), and [[Malta Inc]]., which develops molten salt-based storage for grid and industrial applications. Rondo’s unique advantage lies in its use of low-cost ceramic bricks and a high efficiency of 98%, positioning it as a potentially more affordable solution for industrial heat compared to Antora’s higher-cost materials. However, Malta Inc. may have an edge in grid-scale applications due to its focus on longer-duration storage and integration with power generation. A key risk for Rondo is the niche focus on industrial heat, which may limit market size compared to broader grid storage solutions offered by competitors. Additionally, scaling internationally could face logistical and regulatory challenges in diverse markets. Nonetheless, Rondo’s operational projects and strong partnerships provide a competitive foothold in the industrial decarbonization sector. ### Closing Note Rondo Energy is at an early operational stage with a promising trajectory, leveraging innovative thermal storage to address industrial decarbonization and supported by significant funding and strategic partnerships. (Note: No official RSS feed for press releases or news was found on Rondo Energy’s website or related sources after a thorough search.) *Report generated December 24, 2025*