42 Technology has supported the commissioning of RheEnergise’s first 500kW high-density hydro energy storage project at Cornwood in Devon.
The hillside installation serves as RheEnergise’s first real-world demonstrator for its long-duration energy storage technology and is now producing full power in line with design expectations, the companies said.
The project applies pumped-hydro principles using RheEnergise’s proprietary high-density working fluid, enabling energy storage in locations unsuitable for conventional hydro schemes.
42 Technology collaborated with RheEnergise’s engineering teams in the UK and Canada to design and develop a semi-automated production plant for the environmentally friendly fluid. The facility has demonstrated fluid manufacturing at scale and has been used to produce consistent batches for transfer into the project’s main reservoir.
The consultancy’s scope also included planning and risk reduction, detailed system and process design, automation and control-system programming, as well as support during the equipment build phase.
“Our work with RheEnergise has been a great example of engineering innovation with real potential to change the world for the better,” said Dr Peter Brown, chief commercial officer at 42 Technology.
“It’s exciting to see their first high-density hydro project now delivering full power at the predicted output on a consistent basis.”
The Cornwood demonstrator marks a major milestone for RheEnergise as it advances a new form of long-duration storage based on a fluid that is around 2.5 times denser than water.
“Commissioning our 500kW demonstrator is a major step in proving our unique approach as a practical long-duration energy storage solution,” said RheEnergise chief technology officer Tamás Bertényi.
“42 Technology’s process design and automation expertise has been vital in getting us to this point and validating our fluid-production method under real-world conditions.”
