Connections made at the TACTIC conference and trade expo earlier this month could lead to new partnerships that help integrate 1414 Degrees’ technology into industry processing plants.

Dr Jason Chaffey, who is leading the commercialisation of 1414 Degrees’ technology, presented at the 750-delegate conference in South Australia’s Upper Spencer Gulf and is eagerly following up leads.

“We have a product – SiBox – that can be used to decarbonise process heat across a spectrum of temperatures and this conference was an important opportunity to connect with key players in the energy industry and energy users in the region,” Dr Chaffey said.

“This was about understanding their challenges so our solutions can be tailored to their energy footprint, site area and energy available.”

Since successfully proving the efficacy of the company’s SiBox Demonstration Module earlier this year, 1414 Degrees has this technology ready for commercialisation and is seeking commercial pilot partners. “We’re keen to work with energy service providers to come up with solutions for the industries we’re talking to,” Dr Chaffey said.

“We’re focused on industries looking to reduce carbon emissions from process heat, found in industries where steam is used as part of the manufacturing process.”

The conference was also an opportunity to talk about how 1414 Degrees is integrating its proven energy storage solution with hydrogen production technology – through the SiPHyR project.

“By connecting with natural gas users in the region, we’re generating a pipeline of potential hydrogen customers, who could benefit from a solution that would decarbonise emissions at the point of input,” Dr Chaffey continued.

The conference was also held near the site for the Aurora Energy Precinct – which 1414 Degrees is developing with joint venture partner, Vast.

“The key for us, was understanding the main energy users in the region, including BHP – which operates mines in the area – and how they could benefit from renewable firmed energy and frequency controlled and ancillary services.

“The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has indicated that by 2035, 36 GW of storage is needed to be able to supplement the renewable energy system here in Australia.

“Two things are needed – storage and firmed energy.

“Aurora allows us to demonstrate both for the energy market.”

Global energy storage experts showed strong interest in 1414 Degrees’ SiBox® and SiPHyR™ technologies at an invitation-only workshop in North Carolina earlier this month. These technologies are designed to provide high-temperature energy storage solutions crucial for decarbonising industries. 

1414 Degrees’ Chief Technology Officer, Dr Mahesh Venkataraman, was invited to present at the Thermal-Mechanical-Chemical Energy Storage Workshop, to a prestigious audience of energy industry leaders, policymakers and end users. 

Dr Venkataraman – the only Australian representative in attendance – said the workshop was a prime opportunity to raise awareness about 1414 Degrees’ unique capabilities. 

“The energy storage market is substantial, but our technology has a unique advantage in that it can provide direct heat from renewables, which can help decarbonise industries which rely on high-temperature processes and lack feasible alternatives to fossil fuels,” Dr Venkataraman said. 

“Very few, if any, companies have been able to demonstrate performance of high-temperature energy storage, in the way we have,” he said. 

The United States is investing heavily in the transition towards net zero, following introduction of the Inflation Reduction Act, which the Clean Energy Council calls “a mammoth package of policies and incentives targeting US$369 billion (AUD $520 billion) of clean energy and climate change initiatives”.1 

Dr Venkataraman noted the US market could fill a gap in the Australian market for research stage activities and small-scale demonstration opportunities. 

“There was considerable interest from different parties in the US,” Dr Venkataraman said. 

“Partnering with US companies could open doors for funding under US policies designed to fast-track the energy transition. This workshop was an excellent opportunity to showcase 1414 Degrees’ leading-edge capabilities,” he said. 

It has been a busy start to this year for 1414 Degrees; with a new project commencing, important milestones achieved across others, and a move to new location!

These achievements, alongside other activity bring 1414 Degrees closer to commercialising technologies that will reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Given the breadth of activity, here’s a recap of what’s been happening.
• We moved to Tonsley – South Australia’s premier high-value manufacturing and innovation district
• We were awarded a $2.5m grant for our SiPHyR hydrogen technology
• SiBox® demonstration phase testing is complete
• We’re moving forward with commercialisation
•Our development program for SiBrick™ is progressing a durable brick, for long-term use
• We’ll be using our technology to produce low-emissions hydrogen
• Hannam & Partners has updated its research coverage of our company
• We have a path for access to the transmission line near the Aurora Energy Precinct
• We released our March Quarterly Activity Report, re-capping a productive quarter
• The Federal Governments Budget was handed down, introducing new measures to support the energy transition. 

SiBox® demonstration phase testing complete

We have successfully completed the 12-month testing phase for the SiBox Demonstration Module, having announced completion in late March.

That testing proved capabilities and performance that establish SiBox as a competitive solution for the long-duration energy storage market, particularly for industrial heat applications and grid stability.

This fulfilled key objectives of our SiBox Development Agreement with Woodside Energy Technologies and the Federal Government Modern Manufacturing Initiative, particularly taking the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) from 4 to 7 in preparation for commercial operations.

This could be a game-changer for industries requiring dependable high-temperature heat, confirming SiBox’s potential to transform industrial energy use.

This milestone signified a pivotal shift for our company, with the commercialisation stage to identify the best path to take our technology to market.

Read more: SiBox testing complete and commercial moves underway

New appointment to take commercialisation forward

Dr. Jason Chaffey has been appointed to lead the commercial scaling of our technology. Dr Chaffey has extensive experience in commercialising technologies and is well-positioned to lead this venture, supported by 1414 Degrees’ skilled analytical and engineering staff.

Learn more about Dr Chaffey on LinkedIn

Making SiBrick® suitable for mass production

The development program for our proprietary thermal storage media, SiBrick, is also progressing towards a design that is both durable for long term use and suitable for mass production.

The first batch of this newly designed SiBrick is currently being produced in Germany by our technology partner, Refratechnik Steel Gmbh, who will then conduct thorough thermal cycling and analysis of the storage media.

Following this phase, a trial for the mass production of SiBrick will commence.

Using our tech to produce hydrogen

We will be using our storage technology to decarbonise methane into hydrogen and solid carbon.

We have obtained two exclusive licences from the University of Adelaide.

The first licence, announced in January, is for a new fluid reactor technology – developed and patented by the University.

The other, announced late last month, is for a new method for producing carbon-free hydrogen from natural gas, currently the subject of an international patent application.

By integrating our SiBrick technology with the University’s licensed designs, we will produce very low cost hydrogen using an efficient hydrogen production method called methane pyrolysis.

Methane pyrolysis is a high-temperature process that transforms methane into hydrogen and solid carbon. It separates the carbon from gas to make a variety of useful and valuable products.

SiPHyR, as our new product will be known, will be developed at our Tonsley facility, thanks to a $2.5m grant, under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Project (CRC-P).

Read more: www.1414degrees.com.au/siphyr

Investment bank updates coverage of 1414 Degrees

In October last year, we announced London-based bank, Hannam & Partners had initiated coverage of our company, publishing an independent research report highlighting 1414 Degrees Ltd as a standout player in the thermal energy storage sector.

Following the successful completion of the SiBox Demonstration Module testing phase and a new hydrogen business model, supported by an Australian Government grant, Hannam & Partners updated its target valuation of 1414 Degrees last month.

Read the Hannam & Partners update released last month here.

Read the original report, by Hannam & Partners, published in October 2023 here.

Aurora Energy Precinct transmission access update

In April we also made important progress on the Aurora Energy Precinct, a planned renewable energy park in the Upper Spencer Gulf.

We now have a path to access the 275kV Hill-to-Hill transmission line, which will connect the Aurora Energy Precinct’s electricity generation and stability services to the National Electricity Market.

A Term Sheet provides a process for SiliconAurora, Vast Solar and BHP subsidiary, OZ Minerals to progress to an agreement by 30 September 2024.

Read more: Aurora Energy Precinct transmission access update

March Quarterly Activity Report

Late last month, we released to the ASX our Quarterly Activity Report, for the period ending 31 March 2024.

It overviews a productive quarter for our company and for our shareholders, who have seen a substantial revaluation of the company, driven by several of the achievements outlined in this correspondence.

Read the Quarterly on our website

Australian Government Budget 2024 supporting the energy transition

We welcome the Australian Government’s 2024 budget commitment to initiatives that will help power Australia with ‘cheaper, cleaner, more reliable energy’ https://budget.gov.au/content/03-future-made.htm#m2

Our storage technology is designed to deliver reliable renewable energy and SiPHyR is aimed at very low cost hydrogen production; clean heat and power for a more sustainable planet. 

Learn more about what we do: https://1414degrees.com.au/technology and for more insights on the 2024 Budget, watch this interview with the Clean Energy Council’s Chief Executive, Kane Thornton, who explains the economic opportunities generated by making Australia a renewable energy super power. That’s in addition to the obvious environmental benefits!