RheEnergise to work with Sibelco on energy security

High-Density Hydro long-duration storage demonstrator scheme to be deployed at Sibelco’s Cornwood site 

RHEENERGISE, the UK company developing a new and advanced form of long-duration hydro-energy storage system, are to build their first-of-a-kind demonstrator of the system at Sibelco’s mining operations at Cornwood, near Plymouth, in Devon. Work on site to build the demonstrator will start imminently with its commissioning to start in September.

The power generated by RheEnergise’s High Density (HD) Hydro demonstrator – which will have a peak power production of 500kW – will support Sibelco’s mining operations at times of high energy demand as well as 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 through the UK Government’s Longer Duration Energy Storage (LODES) Demonstration Programme, with the support of Devon County Council, which has permitted the project, plus co-operation and commitment to the project from Sibelco.

The development and commercial deployment of long-duration energy storage technologies, such as 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 of operations at Sibelco, said: ‘We are looking at new ways to manage and secure our future energy needs and at the same time decarbonize our operations, and so we are excited about the potential contribution that RheEnergise’s hydro storage project can make. 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 and 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 long-duration energy storge (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 and would like to have our first 10MW 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 have developed a fluid which is 2.5 times denser than water and can provide 2.5 times the energy compared with the conventional low-density hydro-power systems that operate in the Scottish Highlands, Wales, and other parts of the world. RheEnergise’s analysis of potential project opportunities has indicated that there are around 6,500 site opportunities in the UK.