OblinEngine is currently at TRL 5. The proposed Australian integrated demonstrator is the next development stage, designed to generate the measured system-level evidence required for progression to TRL 6.
Previous shallow and deep-shaft testing has established the existing TRL 5 development position and demonstrated the core hydraulic uplift mechanism.
The next step is not another isolated subsystem test. It is an integrated Australian demonstrator intended to operate the principal components together under controlled and instrumented conditions.
The project will measure performance across the complete energy pathway, from compressor electrical input through air delivery and hydraulic uplift to turbine-generator electrical output.
Conceptual engineering visualisation. Final demonstrator geometry and equipment configuration remain subject to detailed engineering and procurement.
The project is designed to replace remaining system-level assumptions with measured engineering data.
Measure water flow and hydraulic head across defined air-injection rates and operating conditions.
Measure compressor electrical demand, air pressure and air-flow requirements at demonstrator depth.
Measure turbine-generator electrical output under actual demonstrator head and flow conditions.
Measure electrical input, electrical output and auxiliary consumption across defined test conditions.
Determine whether measured system performance can be reproduced across multiple operating runs.
Generate the integrated technical evidence required for independent assessment of progression from TRL 5 to TRL 6.
The current demonstrator concept is based on a deep vertical system in the approximate 170 to 200 metre range, materially deeper than the completed 92.5 metre test.
The integrated demonstrator is intended to include the deep bore and uplift shaft, compressed-air system, air-injection equipment, hydraulic circuit, turbine-generator, electrical interface, instrumentation, controls and data acquisition.
Final dimensions, equipment ratings and operating conditions will be determined through detailed engineering and supplier procurement.
Current dimensions and equipment ratings are indicative and should not be interpreted as final as-built specifications.
Provides the representative water-column depth required for deep air injection and hydraulic uplift testing.
Provides controlled air delivery across the pressure and flow range required for representative-depth operation.
Introduces compressed air at depth and enables controlled testing of air-flow rate and bubble behaviour.
Routes uplifted water through the power-recovery stage and back through the closed-loop system.
Converts measured hydraulic head and flow into electrical output.
Measures energy and hydraulic flows and records operating data required for integrated performance assessment.
The demonstrator is intended to produce recorded engineering data across all material energy flows rather than relying on component specifications or visual observations.
Where the final test configuration permits a valid complete charge-discharge measurement boundary, the program is also intended to determine round-trip efficiency.
The Australian demonstrator is intended to generate evidence suitable for external technical review.
An independent assessor is intended to review the test methodology, measurement boundary, instrumentation, calibration approach, repeatability requirements and recorded results.
The resulting evidence will then be used to assess whether progression from the existing TRL 5 position to TRL 6 is justified.
The proposed next-stage project is planned for New South Wales, Australia.
The project is intended to generate evidence relevant to future long-duration energy storage applications.
Successful TRL 6 progression would provide a stronger technical basis for subsequent engineering, customer validation and larger-scale development.
The immediate project objective is TRL 6 progression, not commercial-scale deployment.
Successful demonstration would provide measured inputs for future efficiency modelling, equipment optimisation, capital-cost assessment and larger-scale engineering studies.
Later manufacturing, commercial deployment and replication would remain separate future stages subject to the results of the TRL 6 program.
The Australian integrated demonstrator is intended to generate the measured evidence required to progress OblinEngine from TRL 5 to TRL 6.