RheEnergise is building a demonstrator of its long-duration hydro-energy storage system at Sibelco’s mining operations at Cornwood, near Plymouth in the UK.
RheEnergise’s High-Density Hydro storage system is low-cost, energy efficient and environmentally benign, according to a release. Rather than using water, RheEnergise has developed a fluid that is 2.5 times denser than water and can provide 2.5 times the energy when compared to a conventional low-density hydro-power system, according to a release.
Work onsite to build the HD Hydro demonstrator will start imminently, with its commissioning to start in September, according to a release.
RheEnergise’s HD Hydro demonstrator has a peak power production of 500 kW. The demonstrator will support Sibelco’s mining operations at times of high energy demand and support the company’s work to decarbonize its operations. The Cornwood site produces kaolin, mainly for sanitary ware, ceramics, tiles and industrial applications.
The project is being supported by the UK Government’s Longer Duration Energy Storage (LODES) Demonstration Programme; Devon County Council, which permitted the project; and valuable co-operation and commitment from Sibelco.
“Sibelco is looking at new ways to manage and secure its future energy needs and at the same time decarbonise its operations, and so we are excited about the potential contribution that RheEnergise’s hydro storage project can make to our operations,” said Ben Uphill, director operations at Sibelco. “We are keen to adopt green technologies as part of an overall effort to reduce our carbon footprint, so we are delighted to be working with the RheEnergise team on this world-first.”
At times of low energy demand, with associated low costs, the High-Density Fluid R-19 is pumped uphill between storage tanks (buried underground). The tanks are connected by underground pipes. As energy prices rise, the non-corrosive fluid is released downhill and passes through turbines, generating electricity. Projects will range from 10 MW to 100 MW of power and can work with vertical elevations as low as 100 m or less.
RheEnergise’s analysis of potential project opportunities has indicated that there are about 6,500 site opportunities in the UK, 115,000 in Europe, 345,000 in North America and 500,000 in Africa and the Middle East.
