Upgrading factories to store and use heat like power in a battery has been touted as a low-cost way to decarbonise heavy industry.

The potential of emerging electrothermal energy storage technologies - like batteries but for heat rather than electricity - has been assessed by Climateworks Centre for one of the Australia's heavy industry hotspots, Gladstone.

Senior project manager at the think tank, Calvin Lee, said smarter timing of heat use by manufacturers "is key to cutting emissions, power prices and strengthening the grid".

"'Right now Australia's biggest lever in an energy emergency is increasing supply and turning on expensive coal and gas," Dr Lee said.

"Demand management - allowing industries to shift power use up and down like a giant battery - would add another much-needed e

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