Alright, sit tight, because here's a nugget that sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, but I promise, it's not: Rondo Energy, that zero-carbon industrial heat and power aficionado, has just snagged a cool $60 million in their latest funding round. Why, you ask? To unleash their Rondo Heat Batteries upon the unsuspecting world and stir up the energy storage pot.

Remember those Monopoly games where you giddily count your play money? That's Rondo right now, with backers like Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund, Rio Tinto, and more. These big names aren't just throwing money around; they're hopping aboard Rondo’s VIP Lounge—err, Strategic Investor Advisory Board (SIAB).

John O’Donnell, the big cheese at Rondo, put on his best Captain Planet impression, saying, "We need tools to build big, low-cost, clean energy infrastructure fast." Enter the Rondo Heat Battery—a nifty little gadget that’s kind of like the Iron Man suit of the energy world.

Here's a mind-bender: industry is the energy hog of the world. Everything from the steel beams in our skyscrapers to the baby food (yes, pureed peas and carrots) relies on some serious high-temperature heat. That accounts for a whopping quarter of all global energy usage. It's like if every politician's hot air could be harnessed—we'd probably have a surplus! (Okay, maybe not, but it's fun to imagine, right?)

Now, the winds of change (literally) are blowing, with wind and solar power costs shrinking like my jeans after the holidays. Rondo's Heat Battery steps in like the ultimate wingman, transforming these hit-or-miss power sources into the steady, hot heat industries crave.

Flashback to 2023, Rondo flipped the switch on its first commercial unit, teaming up with Calgren Renewable Fuels. If energy storage had an Oscars, Rondo's tech would've been the Leonardo DiCaprio of the night. High efficiency, high temperature, and the belle of the ball.

Speaking of impressive feats, in that same golden year of 2023, with a high-five to Siam Cement Group, Rondo announced a storage production capacity of 2.4GWh/year. They're eyeing 90GWh/year, which is like saying, "I’ve jogged a mile, but I'm aiming for an ultra-marathon."

Ever heard of green hydrogen and chemical batteries? Expensive, right? Rondo's answer? Use bricks and iron wire—stuff that's been around since your great-granddad's time—for their Heat Batteries. No futuristic mumbo-jumbo, no bells and whistles, just good old reliable materials.

In a world where everyone's scrambling for the next green solution (and no, green M&Ms don't count), Rondo stands tall with a solution that's as real as your aunt's "famous" casserole. If electrification of industrial heat was a pie, it'd be the biggest slice in the trillion-dollar market pie.

So, the next time you’re feeling warm and toasty, remember: the world of heat batteries is here, and it's heating up faster than a politician's promise. ;)

FYI - Rondo is based in Alameda, CA.