The Forum started with an introduction to long duration energy storage, technologies covered in previous Forums, definition of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) and use cases for the technology.

A distinction between the different types of TES was made, presenting their main operating characteristics and sectors they are applicable to.

Jordan Parham from 1414 Degrees presented their SiBox solution, being its major feature that there are no other companies close to commercialisation technologies capable of providing high temperature heat (>800°C/1500°F). SiBox’s high temperature air output can be flexibly coupled with different energy recovery systems for use as clean, firm heat or combined heat and power.

To be able to do so, 1414 Degrees uses molten silicon as a storage material (which it's latent heat capacity is very high). This means additional energy can be stored over and above the ‘sensible’ stored heat when it changes phase from a solid to a liquid.

The company has a pilot project installed at SA Water, South Australia’s leading provider of water and sewage services. So, Darcy invited Ashley Nicholls (Energy Portfolio Manager at SA Water) to give his insights as the only user of 1414 Degrees' technology for the moment.

Ashley Nicholls - the user - highlighted the high energy density and the reliability of the system, for using proven and relatively simple technology. Still, he mentioned there are efficiency issues that 1414 degrees need to solve (and are currently working on) to achieve commercial deployments in the near future. The installed pilot system operates intermittently due to the fact that the conversion of the biogas into thermal energy is less efficient than taking the biogas running it through reciprocating engines and converting int into electricity.

The efficiency of the system is higher when there is more need for heat and less need for electricity production. Still, 1414 Degrees states they are successfully improving efficiency issues with the SiBox.