1414 Degrees commissions molten silicon energy storage demonstrator

Adelaide based 1414 Degrees says it has successfully commissioned the first demonstration module of its SiBox proprietary molten silicon energy storage solution – a key milestone in the fledgling company’s funding deal with gas giant Woodside.

1414 Degrees has developed a complete thermal energy storage system that uses its proprietary silicon-based storage technology, SiBrick, installed within the SiBox to safely and efficiently store renewable electricity as latent heat.

1414 Degrees says its SiBox technology absorbs low-cost renewable energy and stores it as heat in the company’s proprietary silicon storage media, SiBrick. It then provides high-temperature air output, up to 1000°C, coupled to the process via an energy recovery system.

The company derives its name from the very high melting point of silicon, 1414° Celsius. Silicon also boasts high energy density, meaning that it can hold much more energy than other phase change materials, and is capable of supplying consistent heat and electricity in proportions required by consumers.

The SiBox Demonstration Module is capable of meeting a range of industry needs, and is capable of operating at temperatures ranging from 700°C to 850°C and delivering six to 12 hours continuous output at each set point.

Commissioning of the SiBox Demonstration Module involved extensive trials and successfully demonstrated its ability to convert electric energy into a controlled and very hot air stream for industrial processes.

The SiBricks in the demonstration module reportedly “showed excellent energy storage performance, successfully undergoing 32 cycles of phase change.”

The SiBox Demonstration Module is currently operating autonomously and is ready for continuous cycling and discharge testing over the next 12 months to complete the technology’s validation phase.

Commissioning of the demonstration module marks an important milestone in the SiBox Development Agreement with Woodside Energy Technologies, which committed in late 2021 up to $2 million to support development of the demonstration module.

Following successful validation and development of a commercialisation plan, Woodside will evaluate whether to invest further funds into 1414 Degrees’ SiBox business.

“Over the next 12 months, we anticipate that SiBox will emerge as an important emissions reduction solution for the industrial sectors that manufacture the infrastructure of our societies,” said Dr. Kevin Moriarty, chairman of 1414 Degrees.

“With financial support from Woodside and the Australian government Modern Manufacturing Initiative, we are well-positioned to make significant contributions to industries’ transition to clean energy.

“Our expertise in converting renewable electricity to zero-carbon heat, can help them tackle their unique challenges of high temperatures, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.”