Quantum Graphite (ASX:QGL) is celebrating the completion of the design of the pilot thermal energy storage (TES) and power generation system (TES Generation System).
The test work results provide the necessary data to finalise the design of the pilot TES cells.
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 is expected to commence by the end of this quarter.
Sunlands Co.’s TES technology is a long duration energy storage (LDES) storage solution that delivers one of the few paths to decarbonisation of electricity grid networks by the retrofitting of coal fired power stations. LDES technology is considered the critical solution for the conversion of intermittent renewable energy to round the clock dispatchable baseload generation.
QSP is the exclusive global manufacturer of the flake graphite based thermal storage media (Uley Media), the main component of TES cells. QSP contractual arrangements with Sunlands Co. require it to deliver the manufactured Uley Media to Sunlands Co. as specified to meet TES cell production schedules. Based on the current prices for competing products to Uley Media and the current flake graphite market conditions:
- QSP’s expected prices for Uley Media is likely to exceed US$3,500; and
- QSP’s expected margin on Uley Media will be twice that of the company’s margin on the sale of its flake products.
TES cells utilise renewable energy to store heat at ultra-high temperatures. This heat is delivered to a power station’s existing steam turbine generators which dispatch base load generation to the grid network.
The displacement of coal as the fuel source of these major power stations is the key to meeting Australia’s net zero emissions milestones. The long duration storage capability of the Sunlands Co.’s TES cells achieves very large-scale storage and time shifting of renewable energy to those times during the day when renewable generation is not available especially during the evening peak period.
The Australian Government’s Long Term Reduction Plan recognises energy storage as a critical pathway for the decarbonisdation of the electricity grid.
ProTherm have prepared the detailed specifications and design of the three components of the pilot TES Generation System as originally described in the Sunlands Co. Commercialisation Report. The complete TES Generation System consists of:
- the TES Cell;
- the heat transfer fluid plant; and
- the steam turbine generator package.
The detailed results of the testwork conducted by INEMET included the key findings of the specific heat performace for each of the various configurations of the Uley Media. These findings confirmed that Uley Media Blocks in these various configurations could be deployed within TES Cells as described in Sunlands Co.’s Commercialisation Report.
An important aspect of the findings is the uniformity and consistently high level of heat storage capacity. These findings matched the performance of high-grade isostatic graphite products.
These features of Uley Media will support a more simplified method of manufacture and enable manufacturing to be undertaken at a scale far greater than anticipated. Operation of the pilot and the production of key data from the continuous energy cycle (i.e., charge and discharge of the TES cell) is the final milestone prior to commencement of commercialisation.
