Renewables Innovation Park at the Yarram Timber Mill
Spiegel Energy’s Demonstration “Bioenergy Cell” at the Radial Timbers Mill in Yarram forms the first part of the Gippsland Renewable Innovations Park.
The site for the “Bioenergy Cell” is co-located on the Radial Timber Mill site in Yarram, South Gippsland. The Radial Group has a number of sustainable timber plantations which can supply the biomass as feedstock. It has also committed to purchase the electricity produced by the Cell and operate the plant.
The Bioenergy technology is a Pyrolysis Unit, produced by Australian based manufacturer, Earth Systems, which transforms the woody biomass into valuable bioproducts: Biochar, Wood Vinegar, and Heat.
The energy storage is provided by GridEdge and consists of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which features the safe, non-flammable, non-explosive and reliable, heated salt, Sodium Ion battery from Switzerland, that provides backup power and allows the bioenergy plant to manage the electricity produced as well as utilising solar PV installations.
The combination of the pyrolysis and battery technologies in the Spiegel Energy “bioenergy cell” is innovative, deployable, scalable, replicable;
- Uses woody biomass timber residue to produce, electricity, heat and valuable bioproducts. Can incorporate other renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind to increase the generation to meet more of the Mill’s energy demands.
- Can be replicated for forestry centred communities throughout the region.
The integration of batteries into the system means that the power generated over 24 hours can be re-distributed to when it is needed by the Mill during operating hours.
Further Benefits of the Project
- The supply of clean energy, at a reduced cost to the communities
- A sustainable micro grid which can withstand impacts of climate disasters
- The transformation of woody biomass timber residue into valuable resources
- The generation of income from the valuable co-products
- The local production of eco-friendly farming inputs which can be utilised by the local community
- The creation of local skilled employment in the green energy sector
- The establishment of a model site to test future applications in resource recycling, bush fire mitigation, biofuel generation and other applications as they become applicable
The Project Renewables
Pyrolysis Unit
Self sufficient and scalable
- Its operation creates minimal noise and emissions
- Available in different sizes and able to process a variety of biomass inputs
- As this is done at the source, this eliminates the need to transport biomass over long distances; a major advantage over large fixed plants.
- Transforms over 40 different forms of low value woody biomass into valuable co products Biochar, Wood Vinegar and heat.
- It can operate 24 hours a day, 6 days per week with scheduled maintenance.
Sodium Ion Salt Battery
- The only chemistry UL9540A certified for safety from thermal runaway.
- This means no risk of fire or explosion, even in the presence of external fire
- This is particularly important in the environment of the timber mill.
- No degradation over its expected life
- Maintenance free and can be monitored and adjusted remotely
- Ecofriendly: No outgassing and zero ambient emissions
- Free of toxic materials and 100% recyclable within todays recycling systems
- Not affected by temperature: Operates from 20 C to +60 C with no degradation
- Can be securely enclosed reducing the possibility of tampering or vandalism.
- Full integration with main power supply, remote management and coordination with other renewable energy sources
Solar Installations
2 x 100 KW solar installations have been included in the project to provide power for direct usage by the mill and to fill the batteries using renewable energy for later usage.
We are also working to run the pyrolysis plant solely on renewables using the solar and batteries.
