Quantum Graphite has completed the design of its pilot thermal energy storage and power generation system as it moves one step closer to producing long-duration energy devices at an industrial scale.
The finalised design of the systems follows the company’s successful high-temperature testing in November that was introduced to mimic the conditions inside a thermal energy cell throughout its charging and discharging stages. Testing was completed alongside the operation’s project engineers, ProTherm Systems.
Quantum and its joint venture partner Sunlands Co are working together to develop thermal energy storage, or “TES” cells using natural flake graphite after launching independent test work to accelerate the commercialisation of the technology. According to the company, the devices could provide long-duration energy solutions and play an integral role in delivering stable and flexible energy to grids dependent on renewable power.
The work is part of a 50-50 joint venture agreement with Melbourne-based Sunlands that launched the Quantum Sunlands Partnership, or “QSP” brand to establish a major downstream energy business by manufacturing the critical thermal storage media – the Uley Media - for TES cells using graphite sourced from the company’s Uley 2 mine in South Australia.
Quantum says the procurement stage of the pilot project is scheduled to commence as soon as QSP and ProTherm shortlist key vendors and approve contractual arrangements. Subject to finalising these arrangements, construction of the pilot system is expected to commence by the end of this quarter.
Under the agreement with Sunlands, Quantum will be the exclusive supplier of flake graphite products for the partnership, whilst the joint venture will be the sole manufacturer and supplier of graphite storage media for Sunlands’ thermal energy storage battery cells.
The company says recent test work results confirm the media’s heat storage capacity and operational range was sufficient to drive utility-scale steam turbines and has the potential to be used to fuel thermal power plants.
The plants are generally powered by coal or gas however Quantum believes its Uley Media could offer an inexpensive pathway to retrofit the traditional facilities.
Thermal power plants are typically comprised of three key components: a heat source, boiler and turbine. Quantum says its Uley Media can be used as a heat source instead of coal and also argues the process to retrofit the facilities is a reasonably simple and economical exercise.
The company says the displacement of coal as the fuel source of these major power stations is the key to meeting Australia’s net zero emissions milestones. It also argues the long duration storage capability of Sunlands’ TES cells achieve very large-scale storage and time shifting of renewable energy for those times during the day when renewable generation is not available – especially during the evening peak period.
With an international focus on net-zero emissions and the reduction of coal-based energy systems, the market will be keeping a close eye on what Quantum and Sunlands can produce once the designed pilot plant is up and running.
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By Matt Birney
