RheEnergise, a UK company that is developing a new and advanced form of long-duration hydro-energy storage system, is to build its first-of-a-kind demonstrator of the system at Sibelco’s mining operations at Cornwood, near Plymouth. Work onsite to build the demonstrator will start imminently with its commissioning to start in September 2024.
The power generated by RheEnergise’s HD Hydro demonstrator – it has a peak power production of 500 kW – will support Sibelco’s mining operations at times of high energy demand and support the company’s work to decarbonise its operations. The Cornwood site produces kaolin, mainly for sanitary ware, ceramics, tiles and industrial applications.
The project is being supported through the UK Government’s Longer Duration Energy Storage (LODES) Demonstration Programme, the support of Devon County Council, which has permitted the project, and the valuable co-operation and commitment to the project from Sibelco.
The development and commercial deployment of long-duration energy storage technologies, like RheEnergise’s HD Hydro system, is regarded by the global energy industry and market experts as essential to the energy transition, the evolution and security of a country’s energy system and the expansion of renewable power generation worldwide.
Ben Uphill, Director Operations at Sibelco said: “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. 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.”
Stephen Crosher, Chief Executive of RheEnergise said: “We are hugely appreciative of the support and assistance given to us by Sibelco, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and Devon County Council. Our scheme will help Sibelco’s energy security at Cornwood and show the long-term contribution it can make to the company’s Net Zero ambitions.”
“The demonstrator is a trailblazing project for the LDES sector and will place us in a strong position to build commercial-scale projects in this country and overseas. We have global interest in our technology, from as far as Australia and Chile. We would like to have our first 10 MW grid-scale project in operation within two years.”
RheEnergise’s High-Density Hydro® storage system is low-cost, energy efficient and environmentally benign. Rather than using water, RheEnergise has developed a fluid, which is 2.5 times denser than water, and which can provide 2.5 times the energy when compared to a conventional low-density hydro-power system that operate in the Scottish Highlands, Wales and other parts of the world.