Built for Generations
Energy Uninterrupted
Mission
To build permanent storage infrastructure that turns intermittent clean energy into reliable, dispatchable power for generations.
Vision
To anchor the world’s clean energy systems with permanent, zero-risk storage infrastructure.
Values
- Build for Generations (Long-term thinking > short-term gain)
- Safety is Sacred (Zero fire risk is non-negotiable)
- Earn the Partnership (We integrate, we don’t just transact)
- Innovate with Integrity (Rigorous science, no vaporware)
- Unleash Human Potential (We empower our people to solve the impossible)
Our History:
The 8-Year Journey to Permanence
2015-2016: The Insight
Before Aestus was founded, our team began by rigorously evaluating existing thermal storage concepts, specifically pebble-bed heaters. While promising in theory, our deep-dive analysis revealed critical flaws in performance, longevity, and cost that made them unviable for infrastructure-grade deployment. We knew the grid needed something better—something that didn’t just store heat, but could cycle it efficiently for decades.
2017: Founding & First Principles
Aestus Energy Storage was incorporated in May 2017 with a singular mission: to build a storage system with the lifespan of a power plant. We returned to first principles, selecting the proven Brayton cycle (the thermodynamic workhorse of the energy industry) as our foundation. We set out to combine best-in-class turbomachinery with a novel, ultra-durable thermal core.
2017-2020: The Design Phase
We spent three years in intensive design and simulation. We didn’t just pick off-the-shelf parts; we engineered a system.
- Turbo-machinery: We evaluated and selected industrial-grade components capable of handling our wide thermal operating range (Delta T) with high efficiency.
- Working Fluids: We developed optimized closed-loop gas cycles to maximize heat transfer and safety.
- Intellectual Property: Working with top-tier legal counsel (DLA Piper), we filed core patents to protect our unique integration of these systems.
2020-2023: Material Science Breakthroughs
The heart of our system is the heat sink. We moved beyond standard materials, collaborating with world-leading material science innovators and premier ceramic research institutions to develop a proprietary ceramic storage core.
- Validation: We tested materials for thermal shock, longevity, and density, ultimately selecting a high-performance ceramic capable of cycling from ambient to 900°C+ without degradation.
- Partnerships: We engaged with major US research universities and national labs to validate our techno-economic models, proving our system’s viability in markets like NYISO and CAISO.
2023-2024: Market Alignment & Validation
As we refined the technology, we aligned it with market reality. We participated in Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Storage Grand Challenge discussions and engaged directly with major regulated and unregulated energy companies to ensure our product met real-world utility specifications.
- Outcome: We confirmed that our “infrastructure, not equipment” approach—long life, zero fire risk, compact footprint—was exactly what utilities and data centers were missing.
2025: The Pilot Era
Today, Aestus is a founder-led company moving from R&D to physical reality.
- Current Status: We are currently executing a subscale pilot project to demonstrate full system integration and validate performance data.
- The Future: This pilot paves the way for our first full-scale commercial installation, targeted for commissioning in late 2026.
Team
RICHARD VAN BELZEN,
Founder & CEO, Aestus Energy Storage
The Last Energy Storage System You’ll Ever Need
50-year operational life. 0.5% maintenance costs. Dual energy storage + industrial heat. 100% American supply chain.