RayGen's Demo Launch: ARENA Boosts Solar-and-Storage Tech

• RayGen Resources Pty Ltd has opened a 4MW solar and thermal storage power plant in Carwarp, Victoria. ARENA funds AUD 10 million to support the commercialisation of RayGen's technology, allowing for long-duration energy storage and improved design of a 200 MW solar and 115 MW/1.2 GWh storage system.

RayGen Resources Pty Ltd has opened a 4MW solar and thermal storage power plant in Carwarp, Victoria. ARENA has provided AUD 10 million (USD 6.5m/EUR 5.9m) in funding to further support the commercialisation of RayGen's technology. The project combines 4 MW of power generation with 2.8 MW/50 MWh of storage. Energy is stored as hot and cold water in two water pits and dispatched via an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) turbine. ARENA is also supporting a AUD-32.7-million project aimed at improving the design of RayGen’s technology, achieving material cost reductions and carrying out a basic and front-end engineering design of a utility-scale installation of 200 MW solar and 115 MW/1.2 GWh storage in Australia. According to ARENA chief executive Darren Miller, RayGen’s technology could be a significant contributor in responding to Australia’s growing need for dispatchable renewable electricity and longer-duration energy storage.

How is ARENA Supporting RayGen Resources' 4MW Plant?

• ARENA is providing AUD 10 million to RayGen Resources Pty Ltd to support the commercialisation of their 4MW plant in Carwarp, Victoria.
• The plant combines 4MW of power generation with 2.8 MW/50 MWh of storage, which is stored as hot and cold water in two water pits, then dispatched via an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) turbine.
• ARENA is also supporting a AUD-32.7-million project to improve the design of RayGen's technology, reduce material costs, and carry out a basic engineering design of a 200MW/115 MW/1.2 GWh solar and storage installation in Australia.
• ARENA Chief Executive Darren Miller believes RayGen's technology could be a "significant contributor" in responding to Australia's growing need for dispatchable renewable energy and longer-duration storage.