Antora and POET Advance U.S. Clean Energy Manufacturing with Massive Thermal Battery Project in South Dakota
POET and Antora Energy have announced the commissioning of a major thermal energy storage system at POET’s bioprocessing facility in Big Stone City, South Dakota, marking a significant milestone for the American biofuels and industrial energy sectors. The project represents one of the largest thermal battery deployments in the world and highlights the growing role of advanced energy storage technologies in supporting domestic manufacturing, agricultural economies, and industrial decarbonization.
The project centers on Antora’s 5 gigawatt-hour multi-day thermal energy storage system, which has been installed at POET Bioprocessing – Big Stone. The system progressed from initial construction to delivering energy in less than a year, an unusually rapid timeline for a project of this scale. Company officials stated that the facility is expected to become fully operational later this year and, once completed, will rank among the world’s largest energy storage installations by capacity.
The thermal battery system is designed to provide reliable, around-the-clock industrial heat while lowering operational costs and improving energy efficiency. By integrating Antora’s technology into its ethanol production operations, POET expects to expand bioethanol output while opening new economic opportunities for farmers across South Dakota and the broader Midwest agricultural region.
The project demonstrates how thermal energy storage can support industrial facilities that require continuous high-temperature heat. Unlike traditional battery systems that primarily store electricity, Antora’s thermal batteries store energy in the form of heat, allowing industrial operators to access reliable thermal energy even during periods when renewable power generation fluctuates. This approach is increasingly being viewed as a practical pathway for decarbonizing industrial processes that have historically depended on fossil fuels.
POET, widely recognized as the world’s largest biofuels producer, sees the project as part of its broader strategy to strengthen domestic energy production through innovation and next-generation technologies. The company said the investment supports its mission of producing affordable, American-made biofuels while helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lowering fuel prices for consumers.
Jeff Broin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of POET, emphasized that innovation will define the future of the nation’s energy landscape. According to Broin, the company is committed to advancing technologies that improve energy security, strengthen rural economies, and expand the role of renewable fuels in the U.S. energy mix. He noted that investments in advanced technologies such as thermal energy storage position the biofuels industry for long-term growth while supporting American agriculture.
The project also reflects broader trends in American industrial policy and domestic manufacturing expansion. Antora officials described the development as an example of modern reindustrialization, with U.S.-based supply chains and manufacturing capabilities supporting large-scale energy infrastructure deployment.
Andrew Ponec, Co-Founder and CEO of Antora Energy, said the project demonstrates the company’s ability to deliver affordable industrial energy solutions at the pace required to meet rapidly increasing domestic energy demand. He highlighted the role of American workers and manufacturing in bringing the project to life, from battery production to onsite construction and installation activities.
All of Antora’s thermal batteries used in the South Dakota project were manufactured at the company’s expanded gigafactory in San Jose, California. The project created and supported more than 300 manufacturing and construction jobs across South Dakota and California, contributing to employment growth in both industrial production and infrastructure development.
The installation also carries significant economic implications for the agricultural sector. Under a long-term heat offtake agreement, Antora’s system will provide competitively priced thermal energy to POET’s facility, enabling increased bioethanol production capacity. Company representatives stated that the expansion could create tens of millions of dollars annually in additional market opportunities for South Dakota farmers who supply feedstocks for ethanol production.
Political leaders from South Dakota praised the project for its potential economic and energy benefits. Senator John Thune noted that homegrown energy projects help create jobs, support agricultural producers, and provide affordable energy solutions for consumers. He described the project as an important addition to South Dakota’s expanding biofuels sector and said it would deliver long-term advantages for both producers and families across the state.
Senator Mike Rounds similarly emphasized the importance of domestic energy development as national energy demand continues to rise. He said expanding U.S.-based energy production strengthens economic resilience while generating employment opportunities and supporting regional development.
Representative Dusty Johnson described the project as evidence of South Dakota’s innovative spirit and its growing role in strengthening America’s domestic energy dominance. He said investments in reliable and affordable energy infrastructure are essential to meeting future energy demand while supporting industrial competitiveness.
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden also highlighted the state’s support for the project, stating that the partnership between Antora and POET aligns with South Dakota’s commitment to economic growth and investment attraction. According to Rhoden, the project reinforces the state’s reputation as a favorable location for advanced manufacturing and energy infrastructure development.
The project received financial backing from Grok Ventures, which acted as the sole external investor and structured the project-level financing package that enabled the facility to move forward. Grok Ventures officials said their investment reflects confidence in both Antora’s technology and the broader commercial potential for thermal energy storage in industrial applications.
Ridhaa Ahmed, Head of Infrastructure and Private Equity at Grok Ventures, described Antora’s technology as a scalable solution capable of delivering affordable and reliable energy to American industry. He stated that the project’s commercial fundamentals and long-term market opportunity supported the decision to provide financing for the development.
State and local organizations also played a role in supporting the initiative. The South Dakota Board of Economic Development worked alongside the project partners during development, while the U.S. Department of Energy provided critical early-stage research and development funding for Antora’s technology during the first Trump Administration. According to project officials, that early federal support helped catalyze hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment into the company and accelerated commercialization efforts.
Another important aspect of the project involved collaboration with Otter Tail Power, the regional utility serving customers across South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Antora and Otter Tail Power developed a specialized electric rate structure that allows the thermal battery system to charge during periods of surplus local electricity generation without increasing costs for other customers on the grid.
The rate structure, approved last year by the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, enables the system to rapidly and selectively charge when excess energy is available. This approach improves utilization of existing grid infrastructure while supporting more efficient integration of renewable and flexible energy resources.
Industry observers view the arrangement as a potential model for utilities nationwide seeking to integrate thermal energy storage into existing energy systems. By aligning industrial energy demand with periods of abundant electricity supply, thermal storage systems can help stabilize grids, improve efficiency, and reduce overall system costs.
Jordan Kearns, Executive Vice President of Project Development at Antora Energy, said the South Dakota project demonstrates the company’s ability to provide reliable and affordable energy solutions that enhance American industrial competitiveness. He added that Antora plans to expand deployment of its thermal battery technology to additional industrial facilities and data centers throughout the United States.
As energy demand from manufacturing, data centers, and industrial operations continues to grow, projects such as the Antora-POET partnership may increasingly shape the future of industrial energy infrastructure. The combination of domestic manufacturing, advanced storage technology, renewable energy integration, and agricultural production reflects a broader transition toward more resilient and diversified American energy systems.
With the project expected to become fully operational later this year, the Big Stone City installation stands as a major example of how thermal energy storage can support industrial growth, rural economic development, and cleaner energy production simultaneously.
Source Link: https://www.businesswire.com/
