1414 Degrees confident of its SiBox energy storage technology

Silicon energy storage system developer 1414 Degrees is becoming increasingly confident that its SiBox storage technology is at the point of commercialisation.

SiBox, which is is being developed in association with Woodside Energy Technologies, stores renewable electricity as latent heat.

In a demonstration module, it has produced up to 900◦C hot air, proving its potential as a gas replacement technology for high-temperature industries.

Executive Chairman Dr Kevin Moriarty said in a letter to shareholders that support of up to $5 million was available for expansion through the federal government’s Industry Growth Program.

Companies engaging with 1414 Degrees were also planning to access their own grant funds.

Dr Moriarty said: “Woodside retains its option to finance commercialisation of SiBox to earn up to 49 percent interest in our SiBox intellectual property.”

During the September quarter 14114 Degrees:

• Secured $1.08 million to fast-track projects through an oversubscribed share purchase plan
• Secured up to $4.7 million from Lind Partners to fund SiBox installations
• And submitted proposals to multiple Australian manufacturers to integrate SiBox and reduce gas use.

Moriarty said: “The current customer focus is on medium temperature processes, which present fewer risks and require minimal disruption to existing operations.

“Successful commercial operation in this temperature range will pave the way for supplying higher temperature solutions as customer confidence grows and emissions targets mature.”

Dr Moriarty also said that recent media reports of the economic challenges of producing hydrogen through electrolysis were expected to attract more attention to the company’s plans to produce turquoise hydrogen.

“We plan to produce hydrogen by decarbonising natural gas, offering an easier and lower-cost route to emissions reduction for existing industrial infrastructure.”

In February 1414 Degrees, the University of Adelaide, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Vulcan Steel (Australia) Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy Technologies were awarded a Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grant for the SiPHyR hydrogen production technology. This features a patent-pending reactor that uses stored green heat.

Further reading:
1414 Degrees demonstrates storage and discharge of industrial process heat
Woodside and 1414 degrees to develop silicon energy storage
$51 million for CRC-P industry research collaborations

Picture: 1414 Degrees/SiBox