Creating a stable grid for local farmers with High-Density Hydro energy storage 

Partners: Rheenergise Limited (Lead), Art G&J Ltd, Finnovators

Country: South Africa

Technology: Energy storage, including batteries and mechanical storage

Stage: Late

Stage: 9

RheEnergise has developed a High-Density Hydro energy storage solution. HD-Hydro is conceptually like traditional pumped-hydro. When energy is abundant and low-cost, water is pumped uphill, through pipes (penstock), into an elevated reservoir. When electricity is needed, the water is released, passing through turbines and flowing into the lower reservoir, regenerating electricity in the process.

This project’s vision is to provide efficient, reliable power supply for a collective of apple farmers in the Western Cape (AFWC) in South Africa, by creating a minigrid capable of providing 24/7 renewable power, substantially independent of grid supply. The proposed minigrid comprises solar generation, energy-storage (RheEnergise’s HD-Hydro technology); a Rolls-Royce power-management-system; and a local grid connection.