Energy Dome and NUAI Partner to Deploy CO₂ Battery Plus Energy Storage at Texas AI Data Center Campus
Energy Dome, a company recognized for developing innovative energy storage solutions designed to provide firm and flexible capacity for modern power systems, has announced a strategic collaboration with New Era Energy & Digital, Inc. (NUAI), a developer and operator of next-generation digital infrastructure and integrated power assets. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines plans to evaluate and potentially deploy Energy Dome’s CO₂ Battery Plus technology at NUAI’s Texas Critical Data Centers (TCDC) site located in Odessa, Texas.
The agreement reflects the rapidly growing demand for reliable and scalable energy solutions to support artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. As AI-driven workloads expand across industries, data centers are experiencing unprecedented growth in power consumption. Developers are increasingly seeking innovative technologies capable of delivering dependable energy while also addressing grid constraints and sustainability goals.
Under the terms of the MOU, Energy Dome and NUAI will collaborate to assess how Energy Dome’s proprietary CO₂ Battery technology can support NUAI’s plans to build large-scale power capacity for its AI-optimized data center campus. The TCDC site is expected to support more than 1 gigawatt (GW) of computing infrastructure, positioning it among the largest next-generation AI data center developments in the United States.
A central focus of the partnership will be ensuring rapid access to reliable electricity. Speed to power has become a critical factor for hyperscale data centers and AI infrastructure providers, many of whom face delays in securing grid interconnections due to congestion and infrastructure limitations. By integrating long-duration energy storage technology directly into the power architecture of the facility, NUAI aims to accelerate the availability of firm capacity while reducing its dependence on grid interconnection timelines that can often stretch for several years.
Energy Dome’s CO₂ Battery Plus system is designed to store energy using carbon dioxide in a closed thermodynamic cycle. During periods when electricity is available or inexpensive, the system compresses carbon dioxide into a liquid state and stores it under pressure. When power is required, the process is reversed: the liquid CO₂ expands, driving turbines that generate electricity. Because the system uses CO₂ as the working fluid rather than rare materials such as lithium, it offers a potentially cost-effective and scalable approach to long-duration energy storage.
The technology is particularly suited for applications where stable, dispatchable power is required around the clock. For AI data centers, which often operate continuously and require extremely high levels of reliability, energy storage systems capable of delivering sustained output for extended periods are becoming an increasingly important component of the overall energy infrastructure.
The collaboration between Energy Dome and NUAI will explore how the CO₂ Battery Plus platform can help address several key operational priorities at the TCDC facility. These include improving the speed of infrastructure deployment, maintaining the high availability required for mission-critical computing operations, and supporting lower-emissions power generation. The technology could also play a role in balancing fluctuations between the facility’s electricity demand and the output of on-site generation resources.
Claudio Spadacini, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Energy Dome, emphasized the importance of innovative energy systems in enabling the next generation of digital infrastructure.
“Artificial intelligence is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, and that transformation is reshaping global energy systems,” Spadacini said. “The rapid expansion of AI infrastructure is driving the need for reliable, always-available electricity that can power data centers as well as strengthen the broader grid. This collaboration highlights Energy Dome’s unique position as a technology platform capable of delivering firm capacity and true 24/7 clean energy solutions that are purpose-built for next-generation AI infrastructure.”
He added that Energy Dome looks forward to working closely with NUAI to support its plans for building advanced data centers capable of rapid deployment.
“Our partnership with NUAI represents an exciting opportunity to bring our technology into one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving segments of the energy market,” Spadacini continued. “By combining our energy storage capabilities with NUAI’s expertise in digital infrastructure and integrated power assets, we believe we can help enable a new generation of high-performance data centers while contributing to a more resilient and sustainable energy system.”
For NUAI, the partnership aligns with its strategy of developing integrated digital infrastructure campuses supported by dedicated power resources. The company is focused on building facilities capable of meeting the massive energy requirements associated with AI workloads, while also improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Charlie Nelson, President and Chief Operating Officer of NUAI, highlighted the operational benefits that Energy Dome’s technology could bring to the company’s power infrastructure.
“We are excited to collaborate with Energy Dome on potential deployments at our assets,” Nelson said. “As we continue scaling our behind-the-meter power infrastructure at the Texas Critical Data Centers site, the CO₂ Battery Plus technology offers solutions to several important challenges.”
According to Nelson, one of the key advantages of the system is its potential to reduce the overall cost of delivered energy. Energy storage can allow data center operators to capture excess generation during low-demand periods and use that stored energy when demand rises, helping optimize fuel consumption and operational efficiency.
In addition to cost benefits, the technology could help NUAI manage the inherent variability that often exists between data center power demand and the output of on-site generation assets. Large computing clusters can experience fluctuations in workload intensity, and energy storage can act as a stabilizing resource that smooths those variations while maintaining consistent power delivery.
Another important feature of the CO₂ Battery Plus system is its ability to capture and utilize waste heat generated during the energy storage cycle. This capability could provide additional operational flexibility for AI workloads and other high-performance computing applications, potentially improving overall system efficiency.
Nelson also emphasized the role that energy storage could play in lowering the carbon intensity of power generation at the TCDC site. By enabling more efficient use of generation resources and supporting the integration of cleaner energy sources, the technology may contribute to the company’s broader sustainability objectives.
“The ability to capture waste heat and flexibly dispatch stored energy gives us additional tools to support demanding AI workloads while maintaining operational efficiency,” Nelson said. “We believe this technology can enhance the resilience and performance of our power infrastructure as we expand our portfolio of AI-optimized data centers.”
Looking ahead, NUAI indicated that the Odessa deployment could represent only the beginning of a broader rollout. If the initial evaluation proves successful, the company may consider integrating Energy Dome’s technology across multiple assets within its infrastructure portfolio.
The collaboration also comes at a time when major technology companies and hyperscale cloud providers are increasingly seeking new energy solutions to support the explosive growth of artificial intelligence. Data center developers are exploring a wide range of options—including renewable energy, advanced nuclear, long-duration storage, and hybrid power systems—to ensure reliable electricity supply while reducing environmental impact.
Nelson noted that Energy Dome’s recent collaborations with leading hyperscale technology companies underscore the growing momentum behind the company’s platform.
“The progress Energy Dome has made with hyperscalers and other major partners demonstrates the strength of their technology,” he said. “We look forward to working together to evaluate its potential across our portfolio and to support the next generation of digital infrastructure.”
As AI adoption continues to expand across industries such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation, the demand for high-performance data centers—and the energy systems that power them—is expected to grow dramatically. Partnerships like the one between Energy Dome and NUAI highlight how energy innovation and digital infrastructure development are increasingly intertwined.
By combining advanced energy storage technology with integrated power generation and large-scale computing facilities, the two companies aim to create a flexible and resilient model capable of supporting the rapidly evolving needs of AI-driven data centers while contributing to a more efficient and sustainable energy landscape.
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