Silicon Valley’s AI-controlled hot rock batteries are coming to Europe

A Silicon Valley startup is developing a hot rock battery that could be the next big thing in energy storage — and it’s coming to Europe. The giant brick toaster is the brainchild of San Francisco-based Rondo Energy. The startup believes it could be a cheap, scalable way to decarbonise industries making everything from steel to soap. Rondo has already raised over $100mn from investors including Microsoft, mining conglomerate Rio Tinto, and Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas giant Aramco.  Speaking of Microsoft...