Hybrid technology is not only making waves in the automotive sector but is now entering industries like cement and glass manufacturing, where fossil fuels have traditionally been the mainstay. NOC Energy, a startup spearheaded by co-founder and CEO Carlos Ceballos, is innovating a hybrid approach—integrating electric heating into existing heavy industry facilities. This enables companies to cut costs while simultaneously reducing their reliance on fossil fuels.
Ceballos remarked, “We hybridize industrial processes,” explaining that many companies are keen on making the transition to electrification but are hesitant to abandon fossil fuels entirely. The aim is to provide businesses flexibility in choosing energy sources that are economically viable.
NOC’s electric heating system can be retrofitted into current fossil fuel setups, supplying heat to operations such as glass kilns or cement production processes. Importantly, the system can operate at temperatures up to 1,200˚C, with ambitions to reach 1,500˚C—temperatures that are challenging to achieve without fossil fuels or economically viable hydrogen options. Among the competition is Electrified Thermal Solutions, another startup in this niche.
Recently, NOC secured $2.7 million in seed funding, led by 360 Capital and supported by SOSV and Desai VC. Their initial clients are expected to adopt the hybrid format, allowing them to take full advantage of fluctuating electricity prices by storing heat during off-peak times and drawing on it when prices increase.
The innovative aspect of NOC’s technology lies in its induction heating elements, akin to those used in kitchen stoves, which utilize electric currents to generate heat through magnetic fields. In the NOC system, these coils generate heat in steel spheres placed within insulated ceramic containers. The stored heat is then distributed as needed—whether for glass manufacturing or cement production.
Unlike standard resistive heaters, which have shorter lifespans at high temperatures, NOC’s induction coils remain at room temperature, thus allowing for longer operational periods without the usual degradation that affects conventional heating systems. The startup offers scalable solutions depending on the required heat storage duration by stacking their ceramic containers.
NOC has successfully tested a pilot-scale system, operational for over 15,000 hours, and is in the process of launching larger demonstration systems in France—one for a glass manufacturer and another for a cement producer.
Ceballos added, “Being hybrid allows them to derisk the future,” highlighting the appeal of such solutions amid current geopolitical uncertainties. By permitting hybrid capabilities, companies can better prepare for an unpredictable energy landscape while advancing towards a more sustainable future.
Fanpage: TechArena.au
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