A pioneering 'high-density' hydropower system has begun generating electricity in Devon, marking a significant breakthrough in renewable energy storage technology. The innovative project, located on a hillside outside Plymouth, represents the first of its kind to successfully operate using this novel approach to harnessing hydropower principles.
Revolutionising Traditional Hydropower
The engineering team at RheEnergise has developed a system that fundamentally transforms how hydropower can be utilised for energy storage. Unlike traditional hydropower dams that require steep slopes and substantial elevation changes, this new technology enables energy storage and release using even gentle inclines. This breakthrough dramatically expands the potential locations where hydropower principles can be applied across the United Kingdom and globally.
How the Innovative System Works
The technology mimics conventional hydropower plants that have served the national grid for decades, where electricity is used to pump water uphill during periods of abundant power supply. The water is later released downhill through turbines to generate electricity when supplies are limited. However, RheEnergise's system introduces a crucial innovation: instead of using water, it employs a mineral-rich fluid with more than two and a half times the density of water.
This increased density means the system can generate the same amount of electricity from slopes that are less than half as high as those required for traditional hydropower installations. The design enables what engineers describe as 'long duration energy storage' that could be implemented in many more locations than conventional hydropower dams, with projects potentially being quicker and more cost-effective to construct.
Proven Performance and Future Expansion
Stephen Crosher, Chief Executive of RheEnergise, confirmed that the government-backed demonstration project has consistently met its generation target of 500 kilowatts. This output represents sufficient electricity to power approximately 400 homes for a full year if operated continuously, providing a significant vote of confidence in the technology's reliability and performance.
The company is now actively engaged in discussions with independent developers across multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Spain, and North America. RheEnergise aims to construct its first commercial-scale project within the next three years, with plans to partner with larger utility companies to develop more extensive projects throughout the 2030s.
Government Support and Strategic Importance
The UK government has allocated more than £69 million in funding to develop long-duration energy storage solutions, recognising their critical role in the nation's transition to clean energy. This technology could substantially reduce the costs associated with achieving net zero emissions by effectively managing variations in wind and solar power output. By storing excess low-carbon generation for extended periods, the system helps address the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources.
Patrick Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, emphasised the technology's significance, stating: "Storing energy will play an increasingly important role as we transition to clean power. RheEnergise's first-of-a-kind system has the potential to strengthen our future long duration energy storage capabilities. Scaling up innovations like these is essential as the UK's energy demand grows and we move to a clean power system that we control."
Broader Energy System Benefits
The implementation of such long-duration storage technology offers multiple advantages for the national energy infrastructure. It could reduce reliance on fossil fuels to supplement electricity supplies during periods of low renewable generation. Additionally, it may decrease the frequency with which system operators must pay wind and solar farms to curtail their output when generation threatens to overwhelm the grid capacity.
As renewable energy adoption becomes more widespread, the demand for effective long-duration storage solutions is expected to increase significantly. RheEnergise's innovative approach to hydropower represents a promising development in addressing this growing need while supporting the UK's ambitious climate goals and energy security objectives.
