Rio Tinto and Rondo Energy have launched engineering and design studies for a large-scale thermal energy storage facility at the Yarwun alumina refinery in Queensland, Australia. The project aims to utilize surplus midday electricity to heat refractory bricks, which will then generate steam for industrial processes.
The proposed system features 360 megawatt-hours of thermal storage capacity and a heat delivery output of up to 30 megawatts. With an electrical charging capacity of 78 megawatts, the battery is designed to integrate with existing refinery infrastructure to replace fossil fuel-based steam generation.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is funding the initial study with AUD 3.6 million, a contribution matched by Rio Tinto. If the project proceeds to deployment, ARENA has pledged up to AUD 38 million, with an additional AUD 33.3 million available in contingency support.
Rio Tinto estimates that the installation could meet approximately 5% of the refinery's steam requirements. This transition is projected to reduce the facility's direct carbon dioxide emissions by about 67,000 metric tons annually by displacing coal and natural gas usage.
