RayGen’s Technology
Reliable clean energy, available day and night
Integrated, Customised
RayGen’s power plant integrates multiple technologies to supply large industrial customers and the electricity grid.
The system can be independently sized and operated. RayGen’s solar can switch between exporting to the grid and behind-the-meter charging of RayGen’s storage. RayGen’s storage can also be charged via the grid or other nearby renewable sources.
Field of Dreams
RayGen’s hi-tech solar matches traditional solar PV on cost, land area and output, enables heat capture and agrivoltaics, and transforms the solar supply chain.
Like solar PV, RayGen generates electricity using the photoelectric effect; like concentrated solar power (CSP), RayGen focuses sunlight using tracking mirrors; but unlike anything else, RayGen uses a field of mirrors to focus sunlight onto a central receiver of photovoltaic modules.
RayGen’s modules are almost 2,000x more powerful than traditional solar panels – withstanding almost 1,000x solar concentration, and using cells almost 2x efficiency. The modules are actively cooled with water, to prevent overheating. One third of the sunlight is converted into electricity, and two-thirds into heat (hot water at 90°C). RayGen’s modules contain no polysilicon.
The Role of Water
RayGen’s storage uses the world’s most abundant natural resource: water.
Two water pits – each to a depth of 15-20m and the size of a small farm dam – store energy as hot and cold water. The cold water pit is ‘charged’ using low-cost electricity and a standard ammonia-cycle chiller. The hot water is sourced from RayGen’s hi-tech solar or a heat pump. The pits are covered and insulated, meaning minimal water and heat loss.
When electricity is required from storage, the temperature difference drives an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) turbine. Ammonia, the working fluid in the turbine, is evaporated by the hot water to turn the turbine to generate electricity. The ammonia is then cooled and re-condensed by the cold water to go through the cycle again. No ammonia is consumed in the process. The ORC turbine drives a synchronous generator, which can operate as a synchronous condenser when de-coupled from the turbine.
Capabilities
Technology that stabilises the grid, offers a faster pathway to grid connections, participates in all ancillary services and that is not constrained by raw materials and production capacity.
Long duration energy storage
Easy-to-scale duration for daily or seasonal storage
Grid health
Synchronous generation, natural inertia, fast frequency response and ability to act as a load or generator in response to market signals
Reliable capacity
Enables participation in capacity markets and hedging against price spikes
Baseload power
Produces 24/7 renewable power for on-grid and off-grid industrial applications
Light footprint
Offers dual land-use with grazing agriculture
Environmentally friendly
Produces near zero e-waste, with minimal degradation over the system’s 30+ year lifetime
Advanced Manufacturing
RayGen is commissioning Australia’s largest solar manufacturing facility, a 170MW per annum satellite-grade solar module manufacturing line in Hawthorn East, just 20 minutes away from Melbourne CBD. RayGen’s technology is protected by six patent families. RayGen’s module is four inches square (10 cm x 10 cm) yet has the power capacity of 7,500W (2.5kW electricity, 5kW heat).
Advanced Manufacturing
RayGen is commissioning Australia’s largest solar manufacturing facility, a 170MW per annum satellite-grade solar module manufacturing line in Hawthorn East, just 20 minutes away from Melbourne CBD. RayGen’s technology is protected by six patent families. RayGen’s module is four-square inches (10 cm2) yet has the power capacity of 7,500W (2.5kW electricity, 5kW heat).
Interested in learning more about our technology?
Get in touch with our team