A recent article on The Conversation posed the question:
“What will batteries of the future be made of?” https://theconversation.com/what-will-batteries-of-the-future-be-made-of-four-scientists-discuss-the-options-podcast-261294?utm_medium=article_clipboard_share&utm_source=theconversation.com
Four scientists explored materials like sodium, paper, and organic compounds. But one fundamental alternative remained missing from the discussion:
What if no battery chemistry is needed at all?
Below, I present an in-depth comment on this overlooked possibility — based on the concept of TSTM (Tubular Storage Tank Modules), a modular methane-based energy storage system that could outperform batteries in scalability, longevity, and versatility.
"What if the best battery isn’t a battery at all?" — Introducing TSTM (Tubular Storage Tank Modules)
Thank you for this thought-provoking article. While next-generation batteries made of salt, sodium, or bio-organic materials are fascinating, there’s one type of storage that remains largely overlooked: energy without electrochemistry.
I’m referring to so-called "gas batteries" — and specifically, the TSTM (Tubular Storage Tank Modules) concept.
TSTM is a modular storage solution based on compressed methane gas. It can be deployed above or below ground, or even transported via inland shipping or offshore vessels. But what makes it truly disruptive is this:
🔋 Key Advantages of TSTM over Conventional Batteries:
Extremely low CAPEX – below €10/kWh, thanks to use of standard steel, valves, and welding processes.
No rare earths or lithium – independent of fragile and politically sensitive supply chains.
Very high volumetric energy density – up to 1,420 Wh/l usable (after conversion losses), far surpassing current battery systems.
Unlimited scalability – TSTM scales linearly, making it ideal for large-scale and seasonal storage.
Long lifetime – 30+ years without significant degradation, with full recyclability at end-of-life.
Minimal maintenance – no chemical balancing, no thermal management, no fire risk.
♻️ True Multi-Use Energy Storage:
Stored methane is not limited to one output. It can be flexibly converted into:
⚡ Electricity – via turbines, engines, or fuel cells
🔥 Heat – for residential or industrial use
🧪 Hydrogen – via pyrolysis or reforming
🛢️ Chemical feedstock – methanol, ammonia, etc.
This versatility makes methane a multi-vector energy carrier, unlike any electrochemical battery on the market.
📈 Applications:
TSTM is especially well-suited for:
Seasonal storage (e.g. surplus solar in summer → use in winter)
Remote areas and islands without stable grids
Industrial backup for critical infrastructure
Energy transport via modular tanks on ships or trains
🧠 Conclusion:
While battery R&D continues to improve chemistry and materials, perhaps the real innovation lies in looking beyond batteries altogether. Methane stored in modular, pressure-resistant steel tubes is:
Clean, cheap, durable, and universal.
Ready to be deployed today – not 10 years from now.
Not just a storage solution, but a system enabler across sectors.
Let’s broaden the conversation: sometimes, the best battery isn’t a battery at all — it’s a pressure tank.