Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has partnered with global advisory firm RFC Ambrian and Japanese utility Osaka Gas to establish FPR Energy, a new venture focused on commercializing cutting-edge particle-based concentrated solar thermal (CST) technology.
This innovative technology is capable of producing temperatures as high as 1,200°C by utilizing ceramic particles that absorb and store sunlight as heat. The main objective is to enable long-duration energy storage, which is essential for the decarbonization of Australia's heavy industries.
FPR Energy plans to construct a 50 MW demonstration plant featuring up to 16 hours of integrated thermal energy storage. This initiative aims to validate the commercial viability of the particle-based CST technology.
Dr. Daniel Roberts, CSIRO Energy Technologies Research Director, emphasized that FPR Energy represents a significant advancement in addressing the increasing demand for renewable solutions in challenging sectors such as minerals refining, steel, cement, and chemical production. He stated, "FPR Energy is building on years of solar thermal research, demonstrating CSIRO's commitment to supporting emissions reduction through impact-focused science and technology." He added that transitioning heavy industries to cleaner energy sources is vital for achieving Australia's net-zero emission targets.
The venture also aims to extend its technology to other high-solar regions globally, including North and South America, the Middle East, and Africa.
Rob Adamson, chair of RFC Ambrian, noted that the dual challenges of emissions reduction and energy affordability often plague industrial energy users. He believes that the technology being developed by FPR Energy offers a practical solution. "The decarbonization of high-temperature industrial processes is crucial, and particle-based CST technology stands out as a highly promising solution, offering both high-temperature heat and long-duration storage at competitive costs," he stated. He further highlighted that FPR Energy's technology showcases Australian innovation in solar technology and is designed for scalable, local manufacturing.
CSIRO announced that the AUD 15 million raised for the launch of FPR is the largest seed funding to date for one of its co-founded ventures.