South Australian energy innovator 1414 Degrees strides ahead with its unique patented thermal energy storage system (TESS) powered by biogas. The gas started flowing today from SA Water’s Glenelg Wastewater Treatment Plant, the company’s first commercial pilot site.
South Australian Minister for Energy and Mining, Dan van Holst Pellekaan, launched the GAS-TESS by releasing the biogas from the wastewater digestors.
Executive Chairman of 1414 Degrees, Dr Kevin Moriarty said “This marks a pivotal phase in the commissioning process, firing the burners for the first time and heating up the thermal energy store. Importantly, we will pay for the biogas we use and sell electricity at market prices to test the revenue model.”
The GAS-TESS will enable SA Water to time-shift the use of its biogas to produce electricity and heat on demand, rather than use the biogas as its generated.
SA Water’s CEO Roch Cheroux commented, “SA Water is working to reduce operational expenses to maintain low and stable water prices for our customers. Time shifting of heat and electricity output from the GAS-TESS is expected to provide more control over heat flows to maximise our biogas generation and result in reduced costs of our energy requirements.”
“Partnering with us to pilot this world first technology demonstrates visionary leadership for SA,” Dr Kevin Moriarty explained. “The wastewater management industry is watching closely, as are many other heat dependent industries looking to reduce energy costs, save jobs and lower environmental impacts.”
Globally, biogas is an increasingly important source of energy, from wastewater management to agri-business and landfill gas.
Dr Kevin Moriarty states “Renewables are about more than wind and solar. It’s time to put our vast sources of biogas to more efficient and sustainable use. Naturally occurring biogas has the potential to lower the cost and increase the stability of energy with reduced demand on fossil fuels.”
The GAS-TESS is co-funded by the South Australian Government’s Renewable Technology Fund (RTF) and 1414 Degrees shareholders. The development of the technology was assisted with a grant from the Federal Government’s Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.
“This shows South Australia is leading energy technology development, something the Marshall Government is fully committed to. 1414 Degrees’ TESS is the result of collaboration within our state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, leading to global opportunities for SA. This new thinking is solving problems and creating opportunities as we transition to a new energy environment. It will take innovative companies like 1414 Degrees to ensure energy security,” said Minister for Energy and Mining, Dan van Holst Pellekaan
Executive Chairman Dr Kevin Moriarty said “We have a clear vision to scale our clean TESS technology to gigawatt hour capacity and stabilise renewable generation. Our progress today marks another step forward.”
1414 Degrees’ energy storage systems will support grid stability by feeding power back into the grid at peak times and provide heat for industrial purposes, thereby reducing costs for consumers and creating a more reliable source of power.
The Company commissioned its 10MWh electrically charged TESS-IND in late 2018, which was verified by international certification agency Bureau Veritas. The initial prototype was successfully demonstrated in 2016.
Click here to read the South Australian Minister for Energy and Mining, Hon Dan van Holst Pelelkaan MP’s update.