Long-duration energy storage developer RheEnergise has announced that its first high-density hydro energy project is now producing full power. It said the project on the outskirts of Plymouth, Devon, is operating “at the predicted output and on a consistent basis”. It said this would be “the trigger for RheEnergise and its customers to develop, finance and build commercial-scale projects in the UK and overseas”.
RheEnergise’s HD Hydro energy storage system uses a low-viscosity, denser-than-water fluid which requires less height than water to generate significant power. It enables smaller hydropower-style installations to be built on low hills rather than mountains.
The Cornwood project in Plymouth has a peak power production of 500kW. It is supporting Sibelco’s mining operations at times of high energy demand and will support the company’s work to decarbonise its operations. Sibelco’s Cornwood mine produces kaolin, mainly for sanitary ware and ceramics.
Stephen Crosher, Chief Executive of RheEnergise said: “Everyone on the RheEnergise team, along with our investors, our business partners and the UK Government, who provided valuable support to the project, are delighted that we have reached full power and it is performing exactly as predicted. We have proven and critically de-risked our High-Density Hydro® technology which will allow us to focus on deploying the solution in commercial-scale LDES schemes in the UK and worldwide. Reaching full power is undoubtedly a major milestone in our growth ambitions; we have shown that the future of long-life, low-cost energy storage is in the hills of Devon.”
He said future commercial-scale projects would range from 10MW to 100MW with 6-10 hours of storage.
The Cornwood project received financial support from the UK Government via the Department of Energy Security & Net Zero’s “Net Zero Innovation Portfolio” programme.
Ben Uphill, Vice-President for Operations at Sibelco said: “Sibelco is delighted to have a played a part in RheEnergise’s Cornwood project, the world’s first High Density energy storage system. This exciting and innovative project wholly aligns with Sibelco’s sustainability goals. Its commercial deployment in the global mining sector and within other industrial applications can support the world’s transition to a zero-carbon economy.”
RheEnergise said it is aiming to have its first commercial-scale project in operation within the next three years, and is currently progressing potential sites in the UK, continental Europe (in particular Italy, Poland and Spain) as well as in North America.