In a groundbreaking move that could revolutionize the energy storage landscape, RheEnergise, a pioneering energy company, has introduced a high-density fluid called R-19 in their novel “high-density hydro” project. This fluid, which is 2.5 times denser than water, enables the construction of hydropower projects on hills instead of requiring mountainous terrains. Traditionally, pumped storage hydropower necessitated significant vertical elevation to operate, but with R-19, the same power output can be achieved with considerably less elevation. This innovation promises to reduce both construction time and costs, broadening the potential geographical locations where pumped storage hydropower can be implemented.
Revolutionizing Hydropower with R-19
RheEnergise’s innovative approach anchors on using R-19, a high-density fluid that has redefined the constraints of traditional hydropower projects. The inception of this breakthrough dates back almost eight years when RheEnergise’s chief executive, Stephen Crosher, along with his colleagues, noted that energy conferences heavily emphasized batteries as the ultimate solution for energy storage, overshadowing alternatives like pumped hydro. This realization spurred them to explore hydropower innovations, leading to the development of R-19.
R-19 allows for the same level of energy generation at reduced vertical elevations. Significantly, this means that hydropower projects no longer need to be restricted to mountainous regions. Hills, previously considered unsuitable, can now accommodate these projects, thanks to the higher density of R-19. This shift not only lowers the financial and temporal investments required for construction but also expands the geographical possibilities for deploying pumped storage hydropower systems, making renewable energy storage more accessible and practical.
Traditional vs. High-Density Hydro Systems
The conventional pumped storage hydropower model relies on two water reservoirs placed at different elevations. Energy is generated as water descends from the upper to the lower reservoir through turbines. During periods of excess power production, such as from offshore wind sources, the water is pumped back to the upper reservoir, thus storing energy for future use. RheEnergise’s innovation challenges a fundamental component of this traditional system—the density of the fluid used. Traditionally, water, with its density of one, has been the standard.
Understanding that gravity is a universal constant, RheEnergise focused on discovering a fluid with increased density to optimize the system’s efficiency. This endeavor led to the formulation of R-19, a mineral suspension mixed with water, boasting 2.5 times the density of regular water. The extraordinary property of R-19 not only enables more feasible construction methods but also ensures a higher power output at significantly reduced elevations, akin to how ice floats on water. This characteristic brings a transformative edge, enabling more adaptable and geographically varied applications.
Advantages of R-19 in Hydropower Projects
The introduction of R-19 in hydropower projects yields several compelling advantages. Given its higher density, R-19 allows for achieving the same performance levels with only 40% of the vertical elevation required by traditional systems. Alternatively, a system built at the same height can be scaled down to 60% of its size, providing flexibility based on specific project requirements and constraints. This flexibility enables smaller and lower elevation projects, addressing both spatial and developmental limitations, effectively contributing to cost-efficiency and expedited construction timelines.
Developing R-19 was no trivial task, as Crosher describes the process akin to finding a “secret sauce.” Notably, R-19 is not just a simple mineral suspension—it exhibits shear-thinning properties, meaning that it thickens for stability while in storage. However, it thins when moving through pipes, minimizing viscous losses and enhancing overall system efficiency. This dual property ensures stable storage and efficient energy generation, addressing one of the critical challenges in fluid dynamics within hydropower systems.
Modernizing Hydropower for the Future
Traditional hydropower systems often required extensive governmental backing due to their complexity and lengthy construction timelines, frequently spanning up to two decades. RheEnergise’s forward-thinking initiative aims to modernize this century-old technology, targeting project approvals and completions within timelines comparable to other renewable energy initiatives such as solar or wind farms. This modernization approach seeks to streamline the process, reducing the dependency on prolonged governmental facilitation.
RheEnergise’s journey toward this groundbreaking innovation encompassed several developmental milestones. Initial lab experiments conducted with a 1.5kW model at the University of Exeter guided their iterative laboratory research. Progressing to a 10kW field trial laid the foundational work for their current 500kW demonstrator project. Located at a Sibelco mining site near Plymouth and constructed by D.A. MacDonald, this demonstrator aims to provide tangible proof of the concept RheEnergise has meticulously developed over the years.
Demonstrator Project and Future Prospects
In a groundbreaking development poised to transform the energy storage industry, RheEnergise, an innovative energy company, has launched their “high-density hydro” project featuring a cutting-edge fluid called R-19. This new fluid boasts a density 2.5 times greater than water, allowing hydropower projects to be built on hills rather than requiring mountainous areas. Traditionally, pumped storage hydropower needed significant vertical elevation to function efficiently. However, with the introduction of R-19, similar power output can be achieved with substantially less elevation. This breakthrough promises to lower both construction time and costs, expanding the range of potential geographical locations for implementing pumped storage hydropower systems. RheEnergise’s innovation could thus have far-reaching implications for the future of sustainable energy, making it more feasible and cost-effective to develop hydropower solutions in a wider array of environments.
