Mercia Power Response (Mercia PR), a provider of flexible power response services to the national grid, has agreed with RheEnergise to explore the potential deployment of RheEnergise's long-duration hydro-energy storage solution, named High-Density Hydro® (HD Hydro), with a target of achieving 100MW of storage capacity by the year 2030.

The collaboration between Mercia PR and RheEnergise entails a comprehensive effort to identify suitable locations for the implementation of HD Hydro storage projects. Initially, the focus will center on assessing the feasibility of establishing 100MW of HD Hydro storage capacity in commercial operation by 2030, leveraging the existing grid connections established by Mercia PR.

Having already established an impressive portfolio comprising 40 sites with a combined capacity of 263MW, along with several ongoing developments slated for completion over the next 5-10 years, Mercia PR envisions RheEnergise's HD Hydro technology as an invaluable complement to its existing low carbon assets.

In addition to Mercia PR's contributions, the collaboration benefits from the industry expertise of Mercia PR's partners in energy trading and forecasting, a synergy that promises to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of grid-connected energy storage initiatives led by RheEnergise.

RheEnergise’s HD Hydro storage system is low-cost, energy efficient and fast to develop and construct, said the company. Rather than using water, it uses an environmentally benign fluid which is 2.5 times denser than water, and which can provide 2.5 times the power when compared to a conventional low-density hydro-power system.  It means that HD Hydro can be deployed beneath the surface of hills rather than mountains, so opening up opportunities in the UK and around the world.

Graham White, CEO of Mercia PR, said: " It is very exciting to explore how we can engage with RheEnergise's HD Hydro technology, applying our expertise in finding the right locations, developing sites, getting grid connections and operating within the Capacity Market. We see enormous potential for HD Hydro deployment as a future low-carbon alternative to our existing gas-powered assets."

Echoing the sentiment, Stephen Crosher, Chief Executive of RheEnergise, emphasized the value of Mercia PR's insights and knowledge of the UK energy ecosystem: "Mercia PR’s experience in flexible power response and its deep knowledge of the UK energy system will be hugely beneficial to the RheEnergise team.  Our HD Hydro technology can provide medium and long duration energy storage, which is becoming increasingly important as the UK moves towards Net Zero and with a UK energy system that is increasingly reliant on intermittent renewables. We are delighted that Mercia PR has chosen to work with us."

Sophie Orme, Commercial Director of RheEnergise, highlighted the urgency for expedited decarbonization and the catalytic role of HD Hydro. " Given the growing pressure to speed up the decarbonisation of the UK’s energy system, our HD Hydro system can be consented in months rather than years, so we are able to make a meaningful and positive impact on the energy transition over the next decade.  With our partnership with Mercia PR, we will have a better understanding of the feasibility of deploying 100MW of long duration storage capacity by 2030."