By leveraging renewable electricity at wholesale prices and gradually displacing the use of gas, a standard Graphite Energy eTES system can deliver annual energy savings of 30-40%, reducing the $12 billion per annum the manufacturing industry currently spends on process heat, in addition to the 21.4% it contributes to energy use nationally, according to Graphite Energy’s Chief Operating Officer Byron Ross. 

“By taking advantage of Australia’s abundant natural resources and storing renewable electricity, which now generates over 40% of grid-connected power, Graphite Energy’s eTES system circumnavigates volatile pricing in both the gas and electricity markets.” Mr Ross said.

Based on current energy demand levels, as many as 8,500 eTES systems could be adopted across the manufacturing industry by 2035, reducing expenditure on gas by $1 billion per annum and CO2 emissions by 4 million tonnes per annum, according to CSIRO’s Manager of the Renewable Heat Industrial Decarbonisation Program Dominic Zaal. 

“The renewables focus to date has been on the electricity sector, but industrial emissions now exceed those from electricity, representing 42% of Australia’s total energy end-use, over 50% of which is for process heat.” Mr Zaal said. 

The Climate Change Authority’s Sector Pathways Review, released 5 September 2024, identified industrial process heat as a priority area to address if the Australian Government is to reach net zero emissions by 2050. 

“By providing a renewable solution for industrial process heat, eTES is a fundamental game changer for Australian and global manufacturing, and graphite’s high energy density and ability to transform energy to heat quickly ensures it is the superior foundation for such a system.” Mr Zaal said. 

Graphite Energy is currently exploring avenues for funding for the purpose of accelerating deployment of the company’s eTES systems, also known as Green Steam systems, to food manufacturers, which comprise 30% of Australia’s manufacturing industry. 

In addition to being equipped to provide commercial eTES systems in the quantity required to meet demand, Graphite Energy also has the only eTES system that has been commercially deployed and operating successfully for over 12 months in a large food manufacturing site. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese toured the Mars Petcare Australia Wodonga site on 29 October 2024, sharing his enthusiasm for Graphite Energy’s contribution to the pet food manufacturing facility’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

“It is now possible for food manufacturers to gain 24/7 access to low-cost renewable heat, acquiring and storing wholesale electricity when prices are low, then transforming it to heat quickly when required.” Mr Ross said.

“Storing large amounts of energy in a small area, a Graphite Energy eTES system can reduce the average cost of process heat for a food manufacturer by up to $40 per megawatt hour, while displacing up to 60,000 GJ of gas and associated emissions.” 

To prevent operational risk, the scalable and modular design of Graphite Energy’s eTES system enables food manufacturers to achieve incremental progress towards decarbonisation in a cost-effective way. 

“By reducing the amount of gas burnt over time, in alignment with a company’s carbon reduction targets, the risks that may arise from lack of wind or sun to power renewable electricity, is limited.” Mr Ross said. 

“As energy use is reduced and significant cost savings are gained, Graphite Energy’s eTES systems should enable lower costs for domestically sold products, production growth and greater local investment.”

By 2026, Graphite Energy will have built 20 eTES systems at the company’s $10 million manufacturing and research facility at Lake Cargelligo, known as the Lake Sustainable Energy Precinct, which was completed in July this year.