Rio Tinto studies giant hot-brick heat battery for alumina refinery

Rio Tinto and Rondo Energy have begun engineering work on a 360 MWh thermal battery at the Yarwun alumina refinery in Queensland. The system would deliver up to 30 MW of heat, cover about 5% of the plant's steam needs and cut roughly 67,000 metric tons of CO2 a year. ARENA is providing A$3.6 million for the study and up to A$38 million for deployment.

• 360 MWh thermal battery would deliver up to 30 MW of heat
• Covers about 5% of Yarwun's steam and cuts 67,000 t CO2 annually
• ARENA funds A$3.6M study and up to A$38M for deployment
• Feasibility study expected to take about 12 months