Start-up announces thermal energy storage system

Start-up company 1414 Degrees, based in Adelaide, has created a prototype system that is said to reduce energy costs by increasing the efficiency of renewable generation and stabilising grid supply.

The company’s thermal energy storage system (TESS), developed with the assistance of the federal government’s AusIndustry program, has been in development for 10 years at the cost of over $3 million. It uses abundantly available elemental silicon for storing and retrieving electrical energy, enabling low-cost storage of energy and a stable supply back to the grid. Now ready for commercialisation, the low-emission system is said to be highly efficient, safe, scalable and unlike any other energy storage product.

The prototype system can install sufficient storage, capable of supplying hundreds of MW of electricity, at just $70,000 per MWh to provide for a reliable electricity supply with up to 90% renewable sources and end the blackouts in South Australia. As well as producing electricity, excess heat can also be used to heat water for use in heating and other industrial processes. As a comparison, lithium batteries cost 10 times as much and need to be regularly replaced.

“Our energy storage technology presents an opportunity to disrupt the energy market, and the use of readily available silicon rocks ensures its sustainability and its affordability,” said 1414 Degrees Chairman Dr Kevin Moriarty.

“We’re using cutting-edge technology developed right here in South Australia to provide a viable, low-cost solution — not just for the power problems we’re experiencing here in SA, but which can be implemented worldwide.”

1414 Degrees is now assessing industry and generation sites for its first installations of a 10 MWh and a 200 MWh TESS. Suitable sites would be at a wind farm or near an existing gas-fired generator.

For more information, or to submit your site for assessment, contact info@1414degrees.com.au.