Aed Energy secures Energy Catalyst funding for 10 MWh industrial heat project

Late-stage project with Central Energy Corporation (Pty) Ltd will deploy AE-10H high-temperature thermal energy storage platform in a continuously operating industrial process in South Africa.

Aed Energy is pleased to announce that it has secured funding through Innovate UK’s Energy Catalyst Round 11 – Late Stage programme to deploy a full-scale 10 MWh AE-10H thermal energy storage system at a major industrial operation in South Africa.

The project will integrate Aed Energy’s technology into a continuously operating industrial process, using 100% clean, captive solar generation to displace coal-fired heat at approximately 600°C.

We are thrilled to be working with Central Energy Corporation (Pty) Ltd (CENEC), our South African development and delivery partner. CENEC brings extensive clean-technology deployment expertise, local market knowledge, industrial relationships and project-delivery capability, providing a strong foundation for the initial installation and subsequent replication.

Industrial heat remains one of the hardest parts of the global energy system to decarbonise. Mining, minerals processing, cement, chemicals and fertilisers continue to depend heavily on fossil fuels because operators require reliable, controllable heat without disruption to production. Together, these sectors represent an estimated $400–500 billion in annual global fuel expenditure.

Aed Energy’s 10 MWh AE-10H platform is designed for this challenge. The system will be charged using electricity from a captive solar project developed by the host site, storing renewable electricity as high-temperature thermal energy and delivering dispatchable industrial heat at up to 750°C, easily covering the site’s process demand of around 600°C, currently met by coal.

The 24-month programme will include engineering, assembly, site integration, commissioning and operation under real industrial conditions. Independent qualification and engineering assurance will validate system performance and operability, supporting wider commercial deployment.

At the initial deployment scale, the project is expected to displace approximately 2,000–4,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

“This award is an important milestone for Aed Energy,” said Rayan Kassis, CEO of Aed Energy. “Together with CENEC, our host site and our project-delivery partners, we have the opportunity to deploy our technology at full scale in a demanding industrial environment. Our ambition is to establish a practical, reliable and scalable alternative to fossil-fired industrial heat.”

“This project brings together a compelling industrial use case, an innovative technology and a clear pathway to wider deployment,” said Martin Walzer, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Strategy at CENEC. “We are delighted to partner with Aed Energy to demonstrate how high-temperature thermal storage can strengthen energy resilience and reduce dependence on coal across South African industry and beyond.”

The project marks Aed Energy’s progression from technology development into commercial-scale deployment. We are grateful to Innovate UK and the Energy Catalyst programme for their support in advancing this project.

Further details regarding the project and its stakeholders will be announced separately.

Enquiries

For industrial deployment, strategic partnership or investment enquiries, contact Aed Energy at info@aed.energy