In 2025, 1414 Degrees accelerated the commercialisation of its silicon-based thermal energy storage technologies, moving beyond demonstration and into genuine market readiness.
The company’s progress was supported by successful feasibility studies, strengthened industry partnerships, and growing global demand for long-duration energy solutions.
Its SiBox thermal energy storage system continued to demonstrate reliable performance, positioning the business for a key role in the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries.
Clean heat for a decarbonising industrial sector
SiBox is designed to replace fossil-fuel-based industrial heat with clean, controllable renewable energy.
In essence, the system stores renewable electricity as latent heat using the company’s proprietary SiBrick material. This heat is delivered on demand, enabling factories to operate during periods of grid instability, fluctuating renewable generation, and power outages.
Combined with battery technology, SiBox can keep industrial processes running for hours even during severe grid disturbances.
It has already surpassed 8,000 hours of continuous operation, delivering temperatures up to 900°C with potential to exceed 1,000°C.
Recently, the company successfully met all technical milestones under its SiBox development agreement with Woodside Energy Technologies.
As a result, 1414 Degrees retains full ownership of the SiBox intellectual property and is now free to progress commercial partnerships and customer engagements.
Path to mass production
Two SiBrick variants – melting at 1100°C and 1400°C – are currently advancing towards mass production.
Both have maintained their chemical and physical integrity through hundreds of melting solidification cycles, with further testing taking place ahead of production trials in manufacturing facilities.
In conjunction, 1414 Degrees is developing additional SiBrick variants optimised for integration into its SiBox systems, which deliver stable heat flows within ±2°C across the 200°C to 900°C operating range.
These advancements form the foundation of the company’s Heat-as-a-Service (HaaS) business model and support future applications in hydrogen production – creating a pathway to scalable and recurring revenue as industry decarbonises.
HaaS business model gains traction
In essence, HaaS gives industrial users clean, controllable heat without requiring them to manage energy markets or complex engineering systems.
During the year, the company refined and progressed its HaaS offering, with Deloitte delivering detailed financial evaluation and prospective customers testing and validating the model.
For instance, a feasibility study for a 10 MWh SiBox pilot at a New South Wales manufacturing site confirmed that SiBox can deliver dispatchable heat at a lower cost than gas.
Advances in hydrogen and renewable projects
The company’s SiPHyR turquoise hydrogen program also made significant strides in 2025, as part of a collaboration with Woodside and other research partners.
A technical workshop confirmed methane conversion efficiencies above 70 per cent, building on earlier trials that achieved hydrogen concentrations above 50 per cent.
These results highlight potential pathways to low-cost hydrogen and valuable solid carbon co-products.
At the same time, the Aurora renewable energy and storage project near Port Augusta progressed through generator due diligence and network impact assessments.
Here, 1414 Degrees manages the development of a battery energy storage system (BESS) for SiliconAurora – the joint venture company running Aurora.
1414 Degrees is also independently developing a long duration thermal energy storage (TES) facility approved for the Aurora site.
The 140 MW / 280 MWh BESS remains central to the group’s long-term vision of integrating renewable generation, long-duration storage, and industrial decarbonisation.
The company believes the project has now satisfied the technical requirements for conditional approval.
Commercialisation push for nanoparticle battery tech
1414 Degrees has also begun commercialising its newly licensed SiNTL aluminium-coated silicon nanoparticle technology, working with George Washington University to fabricate and optimise samples ahead of engagement with battery manufacturers.
SiNTL’s low-temperature, scalable process offers about ten times the theoretical capacity of graphite anodes and the potential for higher energy density, faster charging, and longer cycle life.
The company is also evaluating whether carbon from its SiPHyR reactors can be incorporated into battery anodes, whilst assessing options for in-house manufacturing to support future partnerships or direct production.
Rising need for long-duration storage
Severe grid disruptions across parts of Europe in 2025 highlighted the vulnerabilities of renewable-heavy networks without long-duration storage solutions.
In this context, SiBox’s ability to deliver consistent heat and smooth out variability in electricity supply underscores its value both for industrial operations and broader grid resilience.
By smoothing out variability in electricity supply, long-duration thermal storage helps stabilise power systems while protecting energy-intensive businesses from costly shutdowns.
Australian opportunity
Australia’s rapid uptake of renewable generation and large-scale battery storage is also creating a clear pathway for long-duration thermal storage adoption.
As industries shift away from gas, SiBox provides a practical solution for delivering clean, affordable, and reliable heat. It also helps protect businesses from high energy prices during peak demand.
Positioned for commercial deployment
With validated technology, a refined commercial model, supportive grant funding, and growing customer interest, 1414 Degrees is entering a pivotal period.
In 2026, the company aims to deploy a commercial SiBox pilot, progress Aurora closer to construction, advance SiPHyR towards pilot-scale demonstration, and continue securing industry customers under its HaaS model.
Management believes the business is now well-positioned to translate years of development into meaningful commercial impact for Australian industry and the global clean-energy transition.