News

South Australian Firm Launches Thermal Battery

April 03, 2019 by Scott McMahan

One company, CCT Energy Storage based in Lonsdale, South Australia, says that thermal energy could hold the key to cheaper, more sustainable electricity. The company unveiled what they claim to be the world's first working thermal battery.

The company refers to the energy storage battery as the TED (Thermal Energy Device). The battery accepts any form of electrical input and converts and stores energy as latent heat. (See diagram above). In addition to being versatile, CCT Energy Storage says it is affordable and long-lasting.

The company anticipates that TED will be used in applications including TED will provide power across many applications and industries such as providing electricity to commercial businesses, remote communities, and bring electricity for mission-critical telecommunication, manufacturing and industrial, and rail signaling. TED could also serve as a substitute for diesel generator systems, microgrids, and an alternative power supply to the conventional grid.

The business intends to supply at least 10 TED units to commercial customers this year, with production expected to grow to more than 200 units by 2020.

CCT Chief Executive Serge Bondarenko said TED can change the global energy market by offering the most affordable and environmentally friendly alternative power source. "We believe energy is a resource that should be accessible to all corners of the globe - and that means it's vital to provide an energy source that's cost-effective, environmentally safe and sustainable," Mr Bondarenko said.

"TED is the first battery of its kind and will be a game changer in the renewables space, with the ability to significantly reduce power costs while providing versatile and long-lasting energy with little to no environmental effect."

TED heats and melts a unique phase-change material to store electrical energy as thermal energy. CCT says that the energy is stored at more than 12 times the density of a lead-acid battery. A thermic generator can then produce electricity when, and where it's needed.

"TED's scalability means it can be used in small scale 5kW applications to large scale applications of hundreds of megawatts of instantaneous power," Mr Bondarenko said.

"And unlike some renewable energy sources, TED can manage input variations, produce base load output and charge and discharge simultaneously - minimizing energy wastage and making it applicable to numerous commercial industries."

Minister for Energy and Mining, The Hon. Dan van Holst Pellekaan MP, praised CCT Energy Storage at the launch today.

"We already know South Australia is leading the world in the generation of renewable energy but to maximize the benefits for consumers it must be harnessed with storage to make variable renewable energy dispatchable on demand," he said.

"That's why projects like this one - leveraging cutting edge storage technology - are so exciting and so necessary.

The business intends to begin producing TED will begin immediately at its Lonsdale plant, and European energy partner MIBA Group will exclusively manufacture and distribute TED to Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands.