RheEnergise Demonstrates New Pumped Hydro Technology Near Plymouth, UK

RheEnergise has developed a demonstration system at a china clay mine near Plymouth, UK, utilizing a dense liquid to generate electricity via turbines as it flows between two containers, one 80 meters above the other. This innovative approach to pumped hydro energy storage, which dates back to the late 19th century, aims to address energy waste by efficiently managing excess energy on the grid.

The UK has lost over £1 billion ($1.32 billion) this year by turning off wind turbines due to low demand. RheEnergise's technology could allow for more energy storage in smaller spaces, with the potential for thousands of sites globally.

The firm recently generated its first power and plans a commercial-scale 10 MW project by 2028 if tests are successful. Globally, 600 GW of pumped hydro projects are in development, with a notable example being the 3.6 GW plant in Fengning, China.