A pilot program in South Australia will use the power of poo — or, technically, biogas from human waste — to store and deliver cheap, renewable energy.

The technology will take biogas from a wastewater treatment plant, store it as latent heat in molten silicon at a temperature of 1,414 degrees Celsius, and then deliver it back as heat or power.

Key points: The new technology converts human waste biogas into energy

The new technology converts human waste biogas into energy SA taxpayers gave $1.6 million to the pilot via a grant under the former Labor state government

SA taxpayers gave $1.6 million to the pilot via a grant under the former Labor state government Electricity and heat will be provided to SA Water under the trial

"You can all make your contribution to the success of this machine," said Kevin Moriarty, chief executive of 1414 Degrees, the start-up behind the program.

"The biogas comes from the sewage plant … We need you to do your bit for everyone."

The SA Government provided 1414 Degrees with a $1.6 million grant for the technology.

SA Energy Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan called the pilot "a tremendous technological breakthrough which sits perfectly with our government's priorities of cleaner, more reliable and more affordable electricity.

"We are keen partners in this, but let me say it's industry that has actually achieving this success. They've created it themselves. That's really, really what's so exciting about this."

Trial set to provide electricity to SA Water

Mr Moriarty said 1414 Degrees could source gas or electricity from anywhere, but the trial at Glenelg's Wastewater Treatment Plant was an ideal start.

SA taxpayers provided start-up 1414 Degrees with a $1.6 million grant for the technology. ( Supplied: Steve McCawley )

"People are talking about carbon capture, but if you could actually stop industries using the carbon in the first place, and put them onto renewables … you don't need to be bothering too much with carbon capture," he said.

The 10-megawatt hour plant will provide the electricity and heat to SA Water.

Chief executive Roch Cheroux said the system had several advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries, such as Tesla's giant Jamestown battery.

"This battery has an unlimited number of cycles... so this is a very interesting feature," he said.

The initial loan to 1414 Degrees was made through the Renewable Technology Fund, a program of the former Weatherill Labor government.

The plant will have a grid connection, and 1414 Degrees said its system could one day provide grid-scale energy for the National Electricity Market.