Sale of 1MWh Hybrid System as redT Enters Australian Market

LONDON, October 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

redT to supply first vanadium flow/lithium hybrid energy storage solution to Australia 

redT energy plc (AIM:RED), the energy storage technology company, is pleased to announce the sale of a 300kW 1MWh hybrid energy storage system for Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. This is the first time a vanadium flow / lithium hybrid energy storage system has been deployed in Australia and marks redT's entry into the burgeoning Australian market for energy storage which we currently estimate at between AUD $20-30bn, up to 2030.

The system, which comprises 900kWh of redT flow machines coupled with a 120kW C1-rated lithium battery, will be deployed as an active energy storage infrastructure asset at the University's new 11,400 m² Biomedical Learning and Teaching building, which will house state-of-the-art biomedical research laboratories over 4 floors. Coupled with on-site solar PV assets, the system will be used to maximise the university's utilisation of renewable energy to significantly reduce energy costs for campus buildings. This will generate significant savings for the site and also open up potential new revenue streams, in the form of both contracted and merchant grid services in the future. The system will be used as a 'flexible platform' and will become part of the "Monash Microgrid", in partnership with Monash Energy Materials and Systems Institute (MEMSI). The project aims to integrate distributed renewables on Monash's campuses to increase reliability and stability within the local grid and in the future, allow for innovative, market based peer-to-peer energy trading.

By combining redT's vanadium flow machines with lithium batteries, the individual strengths of the two complementary technologies can be harnessed and provide a complete and financially robust energy storage solution. Whilst lithium batteries are able to deliver high power requirements, they can only be used for short periods and their usage must be carefully managed, due to their short life span. Flow machines, by comparison, address the weaknesses of Lithium batteries.  Flow machines have electrolyte that never degrades and are therefore well suited to high-energy applications over many hours, like 'solar firming', which involve heavy daily cycling. Combined, the flow machine can act as the 'workhorse', doing ~80% of the work each day, whilst the lithium element can be used infrequently to provide the final ~20% of the power requirements. By taking this approach, both technologies can be used in harmony to provide customers with the the lowest cost and best technical solution which satisfies all customer's needs.  

Scott McGregor, CEO, redT energy commented: 

"We are very proud to announce the sale of our first hybrid energy storage system as part of the operating infrastruce of a high energy use building. Monash University is one of the worlds leading Universities with over 70,000 students and 11 campuses across the world.  

This project demonstrates "Energy storage" Flow machines integrated with "Power storage" Lithium batteries to meet the full range of customer requirments.  The Australian market has recently embraced Lithium batteries as a very useful "Power" intensive technology, suitable for high power applications and infrequent use as these batteries degrade and cannot be cycled intensively. By contrast, flow machines are the most suitable technology for frequent daily use for many hours at a time. By combining these technologies, the customer gets a long term energy infrastructure solution which best matches their requirement for low cost, secure and clean energy. 

We believe that hybrid energy storage solutions such as this are a major development for the energy market as a whole and we are pleased to be at the forefront of this, launching this important project in Australia, one of the fastest growing energy storage markets globally. As a company, we pride ourselves on being innovators within the industry and this project is further evidence of the great strides we continue to make as a company.  

Australia has one of the highest domestic power prices in the developed world. Recent adoption of renewable generation at grid level will bring to Australia low cost generation, however this will require durable energy storage to overcome the inherent variability of renewables and deliver 'firm' 24*7 cheap power. In short, renewables coupled with energy storage are crucial to delivering long term, low cost, reliable and clean energy in Australia.  

Vanadium flow machine technology was invented in Australia, so this project has special significance to bring an Australian technology home. This is a new customer market for redT where we expect to see considerable growth over the coming years." 

Tony Fullelove, Programme Director, Monash University commented: 

"Energy storage is an integral part of the Monash Microgrid and also offers a vital opportunity for further understanding, as the Australian energy industry grapples with the trilemma of providing sustainable power whilst keeping costs low and maintaining energy security.  

The hybrid solution offered by redT is particularly exciting as Monash will be using the energy component (flow machine) to shape the building load profile to minimise costs on a daily basis, whilst using the power component (lithium) to assist with the connection of the building to a highly intermittent and sustainable embedded generation network."  

    Enquiries:

    redT energy plc                                   +44 (0)207 061 6233
    Scott McGregor, Chief Executive Officer
    Joe Worthington, Investor & Media Relations

    Cenkos Securities (Nominated Advisor & Broker)    +44 (0)131 220 9100
    Nick Tulloch
    Derrick Lee                                       +44 (0)203 005 5000
    VSA Capital (Investor Relations Advisor)
    Andrew Monk

    Celicourt Communications (Financial PR)           +44 (0)20 7520 9266
    Mark Antelme
    Jimmy Lea
    Ollie Mills   

Notes to Editors 

About redT energy 

redT energy develops and supplies durable and robust energy storage machines based on proprietary vanadium redox flow technology for on and off-grid applications. The liquid storage medium affords an exceptionally long life of up to 25,000 full charge/discharge cycles and a 100 per cent usable depth of discharge. Combined with low maintenance requirements, this delivers industry leading lowest levelised cost of storage (LCOS) and total cost of ownership (TCO) results. The modular approach allows the power and energy components of systems to be independently sized to meet customer requirements.

Until now it has not been possible to directly compare variable renewable energy generation sources with diesel or fossil fuel generation. PV + Storage is now reaching 'grid parity' in many countries, a paradigm shift in energy production, which will ultimately enable a distributed energy network optimising conventional and renewable generation. The redT energy storage machine has applications in remote power, smart grids, power quality, and all aspects of renewable energy management.

To find out more about redT products or to register your interest in purchasing an energy storage machine please go to the below web address:

http://www.redtenergy.com/register-interest

For sales enquiries, please email enquiries@redtenergy.com or call +44 (0) 207 061 6233