Potential Partners in Gravity Energy Storage
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An update on our exploration into the gravity battery sector, which has surpassed our initial expectations.
RheEnergise
More about their solution
Overview
Based upon traditional Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS), commercially proven over decades. Closed-loop system uses a High-Density Fluid (R-19) to enable deployment on hills rather than mountains.
Projects to date
Key achievements include successful field tests demonstrating the system's efficiency, £8.25 million in funding from UK government to deploy a first-of-a-kind demonstrator — a 250kW/1MWh (4 hours) demonstrator at a mine, close to Plymouth, Devon within the next 18 months.
Assessment
Scalable solution addresses deployment constraints of traditional PHS. Grid-scale (10-100MW) and long duration (4-16hrs) Private investors include a partnership with Chilean utility Colbun to develop energy storage projects. The use of Sibanye-Stillwater mined minerals in the R19 HD fluid could unlock win-win synergies.
Why partner?
Reduced risks — PHS is proven technology. Symbiotic partnership — substantial requirement for minerals / tailings for their R19 HD fluid. Skunk works test laboratory in Montreal, Canada, testing different pump and liquid technologies. Big ambitions — aligned with our earthshot. RheEnergise are also looking to co-create the solution using mining and engineering expertise.
