1414 Degrees scores key battery approval as part of thermal energy storage hopes

The Australian company 1414 Degrees, which was originally founded as a long duration thermal energy storage (TES) company, has announced its Aurora Aurora Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), as part of its planned Aurora Energy Precinct, has received approval key regulatory approvals from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and ElectraNet, South Australia’s transmission network service provider. The Precinct is owned by SiliconAurora, a joint venture between 1414 Degrees Ltd and Vast RenewablesSiliconAurora

The fine details include acceptance of the Generator Performance Standards for the proposed 140 MW Aurora Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in accordance with clauses 5.3.4A(d) and 5.3.4B under the National Electricity Rules.

The BESS can now continue towards a Transmission Connection Agreement along with potential power purchase agreements (PPAs) with customers in the goal to reach commencement in 2026.

Earlier in January, 1414 Degrees, a publically listed company, made a stock market announcement noting that Aurora Precinct has been identified as “having potential to support” future data centers, while being “subject to commercial arrangements.” This may be supported by its own thermal energy storage technology, which focused on using a silicon brick and the melting point of silicon at 1,414°C to store energy, and the company has been independently developing a TES facility.

Kevin Moriarty, Executive Chairman of the company, said: “This milestone represents a critical regulatory step forward and allows the Aurora Precinct to move toward commencement in 2026. In addition to revenue from the BESS, it supports broader development opportunities, including data centre potential previously outlined by the Company.”

1414 Degrees has had an unclear path towards commercialization of its thermal energy storage technology. It had been running a pilot that the company calls a SiBox Demonstration Module, using its SiBrick thermal energy storage medium from 2023 to 2024, in partnership with energy major Woodside. It continues to work on finding commercial clients.