MicroPower has successfully completed over 2,500 hours of extended continuous operation testing at Gerdau's Selkirk, Manitoba steel production facility. The extended pilot demonstrates industrial durability, thermal reliability, and commercial-scale performance of MicroPower's PowerBlock thermoelectric technology in one of the world's most demanding industrial environments.
The Gerdau Selkirk facility operated MicroPower modules continuously at extreme thermal conditions (420-460°C), representing temperatures encountered in commercial steel production waste heat recovery applications. Multiple PowerBlock modules were deployed across two distinct installation locations to validate performance under different thermal profiles and operational conditions typical of integrated steel mills.
"The Gerdau testing represents the most comprehensive industrial validation of our PowerBlock technology to date," said MicroPower leadership. "Operating continuously for over 2,500 hours at 420-460°C in a demanding steel production environment proves that our PbTe/TAGS chip platform – together with the high-temperature contact and thermal-interface structures, informed by early ARL collaboration and evolved internally since – is robust, reliable, and capable of commercial deployment in heavy industrial applications. The modules remained fully functional throughout the extended test period."
This pilot represents the first commercial-format validation of MicroPower's chip platform in live heavy industrial production. Steel mills are among the most challenging environments for equipment testing – continuous operation, extreme temperatures, thermal cycling, mechanical vibration, and industrial contamination all present significant durability challenges. Successful operation at Gerdau demonstrates that MicroPower technology can survive and perform in these demanding conditions.
The testing protocol included continuous monitoring of thermal performance, electrical generation, material stability, and long-term reliability. Data collected throughout the 2,500+ hour testing period confirms PowerBlock performance consistency and validates manufacturing processes and material selections. The successful completion of this extended pilot provides confidence for larger-scale commercial deployments.
Steel production waste heat represents a massive opportunity for thermoelectric recovery. Integrated steel mills generate enormous quantities of waste heat from blast furnaces, converters, rolling mills, and cooling processes. Current waste heat management relies on traditional cooling towers or heat exchangers that dissipate energy unused. MicroPower's technology can recover this waste heat as electricity, improving facility economics while reducing thermal emissions.
The Gerdau pilot success informed MicroPower's subsequent commercial engagements with the global steel industry. The company submitted a formal waste heat recovery proposal to Baosteel (one of the world's largest steel producers) in January 2022, and outlined a joint waste heat recovery project with ArcelorMittal Dofasco (a major North American steelmaker) in August 2021. These commercial discussions leverage the validation data and performance evidence generated through the Gerdau extended testing.
The successful completion of 2,500+ hours of continuous industrial testing positions MicroPower for accelerated commercialization. The company now has documented evidence of industrial durability, thermal performance stability, and manufacturing scalability – critical factors that institutional investors, strategic partners, and large industrial customers require before committing to commercial deployment.
MicroPower continues to engage with leading industrial operators globally regarding thermoelectric waste heat recovery opportunities. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the company to discuss potential pilot projects and commercial partnerships.