RheEnergise long duration energy storage project powering Sibelco Cornwood mine
RheEnergise, a UK-based company that has been developing a new and advanced form of long duration energy storage, has announced that its first ever High-Density Hydro® energy project near Devon, UK, is now producing full power, at the predicted output and on a consistent basis, for Sibelco’s Cornwood kaolin mine.
The successful operation of the project is the trigger for RheEnergise and its customers to develop, finance and build commercial-scale projects in the UK and overseas, it says.
RheEnergise’s HD Hydro energy storage system uses a specially formulated, low-viscosity, denser-than-water fluid which enables smaller, flexible and powerful hydro installations to be built on hills rather than in mountains. The Long Duration Energy Storage system offers flexibility and security to high energy users and national energy systems and, along with the speed of its construction, facilitates the transition to low carbon energy generation, RheEnergise says.
Stephen Crosher, Chief Executive of RheEnergise, said: “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.
“Our future commercial-scale projects will range from 10 MW to 100 MW, offering six to 20 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” program.
RheEnergise’s Cornwood project has a peak power production of 500 kW and 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.
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 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.
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