Shift

Category: Grid & Renewables

  • Shift and Solar Earth collaborate with the Malahat Nation on Solar Powered Building

    This partnership is another step towards energy sovereignty for the Malahat Nation

    March 21, 2023 (Vancouver/ Unceded Territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations) – Shift Clean Energy (Shift) announces today that it has partnered with Solar Earth Technologies Ltd. (Solar Earth) to power the Malahat Nations’ administrative operations on Vancouver Island by renewable solar energy. The project is a part of the Malahat Nations’ concrete plans to become a more sustainable community while moving toward energy sovereignty.

    Funded by the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative, this project will be the first to utilize Shift’s leading-edge energy storage systems on land and Solar Earth’s unique form of solar power that transforms everyday infrastructure, such as parking lots and sidewalks, into a renewable energy source. This first project will transition one of Malahat Nation’s administration buildings, which acts as a joint emergency response, and office space for the Environment and Social Programs Departments, to run on renewable energy. Following the completion of the building, Shift will continue to work with the Malahat Nation to streamline its transition to being a more sustainable community, with the aim of developing a renewable energy microgrid.

    Solar Earth is a manufacturer of hardened solar power panels that transform sidewalks, parking lots and other elements of everyday infrastructure into a new source of solar energy. Its Chairman John Farlinger said: “This is an amazing opportunity to show the world how we can build Net-Zero energy systems to power truly sustainable economic development. With Shift, our goal is to deliver  one of the world’s most unique microgrids, with the world’s toughest solar, that is both scalable and replicable in many other use cases.”

    Brent Perry, CEO and founder of Shift, said: “We are thrilled to join forces with Solar Earth to bring this impactful project with the Malahat Nation to fruition. It is a testament to the fact that electrification doesn’t have to be a pain point. A transition towards a greener future is a win-win for both people and the planet.”

    Innovative partnerships are at the core of Malahat Nation’s environmental strategy. The panels are expected to reduce 18,300 kg of carbon emissions over its 25-year lifetime while producing enough energy to cover its operating costs. Once complete, the Malahat Nation’s administration building will be capable of running off-grid at nearly full capacity.

    “Malahat Nation is committed to sustaining administrative operations in a way that progresses environmental protection and honors the values of the community,” said Tristan Gale, the Malahat Nation’s Executive Director of environment and sustainable development. “This project will accomplish this goal by capturing and storing the energy of the sun using a new solar power technology that turns a concrete or asphalt surface into a renewable energy source and ultimately reduces our dependence on BC Hydro.”

    Shift’s proprietary energy storage systems will store and manage the delivery of the solar power within the renewable energy grid. Its 30.5kW photovoltaic system is composed of 54 individual rooftop panels and 119 of Solar Earth’s PV pavers. The grid will supply 34.3 MWh of power annually.

    This project, and partnership between Shift and Solar Earth, marks an important milestone and impactful step towards accelerating electrification solutions across an array of industries. Shift is rapidly growing with headquarters in the US, UK, and the Netherlands and Shift is currently in the process of building a location in Singapore.

    Shift CEO Brent Perry added: “It’s an honor to be chosen by the Malahat Nation to install this carbon-free power and storage system. Shift and Solar Earth are keen to engage other communities that are open to similar projects around the world to achieve carbon reduction solutions.”

    ***

    About Shift Clean Energy:

    Shift Clean Energy provides energy storage solutions to decarbonize the marine transport industry and other hard-to-abate sectors. Shift enables customers to meet their climate action and ESG goals with clean energy solutions based on leading-edge energy storage systems. Understood to be the safest and most reliable energy storage solutions on the market today, and the first commercial marine solutions company to offer pay-as-you-go PwrSwäp subscription energy systems.  Customers save money from day one through electrification, integrating ESS and renewable energy for both commercial and maritime applications. Shift now has offices in the US, UK, and the Netherlands, with a new office under construction in Singapore. Join us on our mission to zero emissions.

    About Solar Earth:

    We are a new form of solar power that transforms everyday infrastructure into a source of revenue-generating solar energy for a net zero world. Solar Earth transforms surfaces into tough, versatile sources of solar energy by embedding solar cells into a rock-hard, resilient surface. We can “solarize” sidewalks, roads, parking lots, rooftops, docks, and more by putting solar cells inside that infrastructure. Our breakthrough technology captures the power of the sun to “solarize” infrastructure and generate secure, free, clean energy to fight climate change and achieve a net zero world. We are based in Vancouver with international offices. For more information, visit

    www.solarearth.ca

    About Malahat Nation:

    Malahat Nation is an Indigenous Government representing approximately 340 members with reserve lands located along the western shore of Saanich Inlet, near Victoria, BC. Malahat Nation has maintained a strong connection with the Salish Sea and surrounding lands since time immemorial. Malahat members are stewards of the shared resources and habitats throughout the region. In recent years, Malahat Nation has dedicated much of its limited resources to modernize this stewardship and ensure that future generations of Malahat Members can enjoy the same natural resources that Malahat ancestors have enjoyed historically. Currently, the Malahat Nation Environment Department maintains a stewardship presence year-round, conducting monitoring, data collection and habitat revitalization throughout Malahat Territory. Looking towards the future, Malahat is committed to developing partnerships with innovative companies that offer modern solutions to the many environmental challenges facing the world today.  

    Press contact:

    Yulu PR

    Shift@yulupr.com

  • Future Proofing Rural India

    Future Proofing Rural India

    Published in Energetica India on December 2020. Link to the magazine can be found here.

    By Ambarish Ghosh | Vice President Business Development, Sterling PlanB

    Solar plus energy storage is perhaps the most viable option for standalone hamlets or villages where there is no grid connectivity, and the electricity is currently generated using diesel generator sets. With increased focus on climate change globally, there has been a shift towards renewable energy. India too is seeing a steady transition from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources. With an ambitious target of achieving 40 percent of installed capacity based on renewable sources by 2030, energy storage appears to be the key to unlock the true potential of renewable energy and realize this target.

    The elderly grandfather moves slowly through the darkness, wary of any obstacle that might be in his path. With confidence, he reaches out and flips a switch. Like magic, a warm light fills the room. In another house nearby, a table lamp illuminates the pages as a student studies with the help of her father in the evening after dinner and his long workday as a farmer. In the same village, a school that once closed at dusk is now open for more hours of the day, meeting increased demand for education in a growing population. Near the school, the only healthcare facility in the village used to close before dark. Now it is open in the evening, providing care to a few more sick patients each day. For the tired doctor and nurses inside, a fan cooling the air and a brightly lit room provide comfort and confidence to provide the care their patients deserve. In the town, electric streetlights now pro- vide safety and security to the residents; harmful kerosene lamps now just a relic of the past. In another home, a child runs in -excitedly narrating to his parents that which he just watched on a neighbour’s tv, informing and educating them about the world beyond their village. Close to town, a couple of looms or rural handicraft units now operate at peak capacity, 24 hours per day, providing good jobs to workers in the local village and ensuring they do not have to leave their families to find work. As evening darkens the village goes to sleep with a hope for next dawn. Thus, is the social impact of the electrification of rural India.

    India is a land of villages. More than 600,000 villages are scattered around the rural areas of the country; each with a unique identity. These villages are where you get to know the true roots and character of this great country. Visiting a village may sound like a rustic affair but therein lies the true essence of India. Seventy percent it’s population – roughly one-tenth of humanity – live in this countryside. It is a testament to the people who live here that they continue to thrive, with limited facilities and rapid population growth. Indeed, India is thriving as a nation and on the international stage. This also makes rural India a focal point for issues of national and global concern. Economic and societal growth must be addressed. Improvements to society such as electrification, health- care, quality education and sanitation must be provided with minimal impact to the climate.

    Over the years, many of India’s resilient rural villages have been trying to remain relevant and adapt to change without losing valued traditions and skills that have survived down the ages. The Smart Village concept helps people access basic life services and amenities like water and electricity and with advances in technology, a gradual transition to sustainable and renewable energy resources has begun to power the smart village concept. Solar panels on rooftops are increasingly common in many villages.

    Solar plus energy storage is perhaps the most viable option for standalone hamlets or villages where there is no grid connectivity, and the electricity is currently generated using diesel generator sets. With increased focus on climate change globally, there has been a shift towards renewable energy. India too is seeing a steady transition from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources. With an ambitious target of achieving 40 percent of installed capacity based on renewable sources by 2030, energy storage appears to be the key to unlock the true potential of renewable energy and realize this target.

    In the example of a theoretical small village community on Sagardeep Island in the Sunderbans district of West Bengal region of rural India, a population of 400- 450 people would require a photovoltaic system of ~26KW. This PV system would then be fed into a 2MWh battery. This battery would be able to provide 125KW of power for up to 16 hours before running out. In a more realistic scenario (estimated), the loads from the community would more likely be only 20KW for 4hours in the evening, 4-6 KW during the night when residents are sleeping, and then 4-6KW for a few hours in the morning before the sun rises and begins a new daily charge cycle from the photovoltaic panels.

    The world is moving away from fossil fuel power generation, and the people in rural areas are set to reap the biggest rewards. Today, the cost of installed solar is a fraction of the cost of even 5 years ago. Power electronics have got- ten smaller and more reliable while their cost has also fallen. Entire systems that were not feasible just a few years ago are now not only feasible, but also provide their owners with significant return on investment. The social implications are staggering. Rather than leave their homes and villages looking for opportunity (and often finding nothing but despair in the big cities), workers and students could opt to stay with their families, working during the day, children in school, and taking care of elderly parents afterward.

    But the biggest advantage of having an energy storage in rural India is mechanization of rural economic activities leading to innovations and job creations. For example, in the states of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha, solar-powered electric reeling machines have allowed women working in silk weaving cooperatives to increase their incomes and reduce drudgery. These machines, developed by a private company, use just 10 percent of the power of standard machines, yet they increase productivity and market competitiveness. Children become educated using a combination of in-class teachers for younger students, high school curriculum for teens, and maybe a post-secondary college education at the nearest town a few miles away. As they grow to adulthood, these same children are now able to apply their knowledge in their local community as educators, administrators, technical trade workers and community leaders. Who better to revitalize a community than those who know it from birth?

    Ultimately, a hybrid solar/battery power plant provides the community a path forward to educate the young, provide meaningful employment for working-age people, to revitalize rural India and to keep families together.

    Reliable, clean electricity provides the social power to transform rural India and the economic power to maintain this great country’s growth now and into the next century.

  • Ship.Energy Q&A: Leading the Charge

    Ship.Energy Q&A: Leading the Charge

    Published In Ship.Energy on October 1, 2020. Link to the article can be found here.

    By Lesley Bankes-Hughes | Publishing Director, Petrospot Limited

    ‘In the future, every commercial vessel will have a battery room’’ says Sterling PBES CEO, Brent Perry.

    In this Q&A with ship.energy, Brent Perry discusses the retrofit potential of Energy Storage Systems, lifecycle costs, payback times – and also explains how the technology is evolving to enable new applications – perhaps as a containerised solution or a microgrid, or for a new type of vessel

    Is progress on the industry uptake of electric/hybrid vessels happening as Sterling PBES had envisaged? There seems to be an increasingly-held view that this technology is primarily appropriate for smaller vessels and/or those engaged on shorter, scheduled routes but that it will not have application for larger oceangoing vessels – do you agree with this viewpoint?

    Over the past few years, smaller vessels and those engaged on shorter, scheduled routes have certainly been the primary beneficiaries of Energy Storage System (ESS) technology. Their size and capabilities have made electrification relatively simple, while owners have seen rapid return on investment (ROI) from electrification.

    The operational benefits of energy storage have also traditionally been most pronounced in these markets. For passenger vessels, reduced vibrations and noise have clear benefits to passenger experience, while any near shore vessels are more exposed to national legislation and political or social pressure on greenhouse emissions and air pollution. This is changing as the industry comes under greater scrutiny from regulators and the public.

    Where these segments are the greatest beneficiaries of ESS technology today, we are seeing larger vessels to take advantage of li-ion ESS systems in the coming years. New fuels with lower energy densities than traditional bunker fuels (ammonia, hydrogen, methanol) are expected to become commonplace over the next few years, and energy storage represents a particular efficiency benefit for these vessels in balancing the power output of any given fuel source.

    What is the potential for the ESS retrofit market? Are there onboard installation challenges and also financial implications for this market versus newbuilds?

    We believe that, where not all future vessels will be fully-electric, all future vessels will have a battery room and an ESS. For hybrid systems, an ESS’s infrastructure would not need to be changed if the other fuel used is at a later date. This means that an ESS can via retrofit, future proof a vessel now, cost effectively.

    Historically, retrofit challenges have existed for ESS’s. Systems require some electrical infrastructure, and most systems require a specific footprint that can pose a challenge. New innovations are changing this, such as our new self-contained CanPower microgrid unit which can add energy storage to virtually any vessel. The system is simply, easily and inexpensively located on the top deck or other exterior location, and only requires a connection to the vessels electrical grid via a fixed connection or a plug in to function.

    What are the vessel design challenges associated with the use of ESS?

    It really depends on what you’re looking to do with an ESS. Adding a microgrid can be relatively simple, with a containerised system like our CanPower microgrid solutions being entirely self-contained and only requiring a minimal footprint and using existing infrastructure. With more challenging applications, existing type approval standards are there to apply to meet the expectations.

    Holistic design of the entirety of an ESS and its surroundings is vital to ensure safety and operability. Minimising the footprint and size of a system can have a huge impact, and good design has huge benefits here. In the event of an accident, this holistic principle is even more important; designers need to be sure that toxic gasses would be vented into safe areas, and electronic control systems are fully integrated into a vessel’s other safety systems.

    ESS manufacturers need to offer system integrators and naval architects expert support to overcome these challenges. At Sterling PBES, we take an active role in the design and installation of systems to provide seamless support to ensure efficiency, operability and safety.

    Is there anything that the shipping sector can learn from the experiences of the automotive sector in relation to electric/hybrid technology?

    If you look at the history of hybrid and electric cars, you can see how quickly electrification takes hold. At one point, electric and hybrid cars were seen as fringe and had little take up for decades, but when the technology caught up to the ambitions, we saw a sea change. Even Ferrari now make hybrid cars, and a lot of countries are planning to phase out conventional engine vehicles over the next two decades.

    In the maritime industry, energy storage has been proven as a technology – especially for smaller vessels. We are currently seeing a similar change, as shipowners and other stakeholders take notice of the cost and emissions benefits of li-ion energy storage.

    Could you comment on lifecycle costs/challenges of ESS in the context of a 25-30-year average lifespan of a vessel?

    For most near shore vessels today, the fuel cost savings associated with energy storage represent a fast ROI that remains high throughout a vessel’s lifespan. However, this does not always tell the full story. A conventional ship engine would be expected to survive the normal lifespan of a ship without full replacement, while the useable lifespan of li-ion cells has historically meant full system re-builds are required every five to ten years.

    Innovations like Sterling PBES’ CellSwap technology are changing this, though. CellSwap allows for individual li-ion cells to be replaced without removing the vital system infrastructure, meaning that a shipowner can take advantage of ever improving cell technologies without building in heavy redundancy into a system to improve its lifespan. At the same time, it makes replacing cells simpler than engine maintenance while bringing costs roughly in line with what you may see in a conventional vessel. Life cycle cost of electricity will be in the $0.05-0.06/kWh range.

    Is standard contractual documentation in place for the operation of hybrid/electric vessels, i.e. charter party agreements?

    Sterling PBES offers full financing options, either based on lease to own models or system cost sharing models where the customer pays for the system out of usage and service for the ESS.  Today this is a viable option for all qualified clients and can involve total vessel finance or ESS system finance.

    What is the payback period in terms of investing in hybrid vessels, and is financing available to owners for these vessels (subsidies, bank loans, other investment funds)?

    Payback times really depend on a huge number of factors, including the size and purpose of a vessel, its average fuel costs, and where it is operating. We have seen some passenger vessels see a return on their investment within a year, while it is a longer-term investment for some other vessels.

    Obviously, it is really important for companies to be open and honest in this space and we are committed to calculating these times honestly for our partners. As cell technology and energy density improves, it is important that the energy storage industry acts honestly and builds trust with the industry on payback times.

    In terms of finance, we have seen end users engage with ESG investors and other green funds and initiatives. ESG is rapidly growing as an area for finance, and sustainable electrification fits perfectly with the ethos and mandate of this rapidly growing source of finance.

    For fossil-fuelled vessels, there is a growing call for ‘well to wake’ emissions to be considered. How does this ‘measurement’ of emissions apply to ESS, in terms of production processes and also the disposal of lithium-ion batteries?

    It is true that building and disposing of energy storage systems represents some environmental impact. Mining the materials needed, constructing and installing whole systems, and disposing of the heavy metals included in the cells can have emissions and ecological impacts. These are significantly fewer than with any other type of system.

    At Sterling PBES, we are able to recycle and reuse 96% of the heavy metal content in the cells we use and use recycled material wherever possible. The materials are returned to ESS grade quality for true recycling.

    At the same time, innovations like our CellSwap system mean that the infrastructure of an ESS does not need to be removed, disposed of, and replaced every time a system’s cells need replacing. This even further cuts the environmental impact of our systems, while also cutting costs, and is a philosophy the industry will need to implement as ‘well to wake’ issues are highlighted.

    In your discussions with potential purchasers of electric vessels, what are the main questions they are asking of you in relation to the technology.

    The market is very interested in where the historic limitations of ESS technology are changing, especially from the operational side. People want to know if you can use it in new, novel applications – perhaps as a containerised solution or a microgrid, or for a new type of vessel – in a cost efficient and safe way.

    How do you see the electric/hybrid vessel sector developing over the next 10-20 years?

    In the future, every commercial vessel will have a battery room. The technology has been proven from cost, operability and environmental perspective, while ESS technology will be a vital part of enabling new fuels as the industry prepares for a zero-carbon future.

  • Startup Battery Solution Reduces Fuel Dependence in the Maritime Industry

    Startup Battery Solution Reduces Fuel Dependence in the Maritime Industry

    Published In Port of Seattle on October 19, 2020. Link to the article can be found here.

    By Omie Drawhorn | Marketing & Communications Project Manager, Port of Seattle

    Washington Maritime Blue, the Port of Seattle, and WeWork Labs have partnered to launch Washington’s first maritime accelerator to help maritime companies innovate and grow. New ideas in one of the most traditional sectors in Washington are critical for a thriving economy and to protect our planet, precious natural resources, and ocean life.

    Washington Maritime Blue and the Port are partnering again to launch the next cohort of the Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator. Applications for the new cohort are open through Nov. 20.

    This series showcases the 11 companies participating in the inaugural cohort. These companies worked for four months out of WeWork Labs’ Seattle location with mentors and advisers to help navigate challenges. In April, the startups shared their innovative solutions in a Virtual Showcase.

    The maritime industry is responsible for 90 percent of goods delivered in the world but the technology powering the industry has not really changed in 100 years. Most commercial vessels use diesel fuel for almost all operations, which comes with fuel costs, maintenance down time, and impacts on the environment.

    Until now. A Vancouver-based startup has developed a cost-saving, energy efficient way to keep the industry moving into the future. Sterling Plan B Energy Solutions (Sterling PBES) has built a high-powered lithium ion battery used to hybridize or electrify any industrial equipment, powering everything from small cities to commercial vessels.

    Led by a team of seasoned maritime industry experts, Sterling PBES has been building marine energy storage systems since 2009 and is focused on helping the maritime industry lower or eliminate its dependence on fossil fuels by using electrical power.

    Electric ferry Aurora

    An electrifying solution

    Sterling PBES developed the CanPower Microgrid, an independent, containerized battery room that fits within standard-sized shipping containers 20 to 53 feet in length. A 40-foot shipping container of PBES batteries can power a ferry or a small community. Its liquid cooling system optimizes the battery’s lifetime, performance, and safety.

    The battery system can be stored on the top deck or other exterior location of a vessel and it connects to the vessel’s electrical grid through a fixed connection or a plug in. The battery can be charged in as little as six minutes depending on available shore power. The battery can also be easily swapped out, allowing the vessel to continue on to the next destination where another battery will be waiting. The batteries on shore are then recharged and on standby for the next use.

    CanPower is in final development, but the startup has been marketing the technology to potential clients with strong success.

    “We are seeing a huge demand for CanPower, with sales closing despite still being in the final engineering stage,” said Grant Brown, Vice President of Marketing and Brand at Sterling PBES.

    High speed passenger ferries currently being built in Washington state are candidates for the technology. Normally, it takes 20 to 30 minutes to charge a large electric battery – if high capacity shore power is available. With this system, the battery can be taken off the vessel, and replaced with a freshly charged one in a fraction of the time, just like the battery in a power tool.

    “We are also finding a lot of interest from tugboat operators, who want to run a zero emissions ship. It costs a lot to provide high power electricity to a large battery charger; the disruption to city streets and the build of electrical infrastructure means it’s often cheaper to simply buy extra batteries for the ship. With river cruise ships and ships with similar situations, there are predetermined stop points; while they are offloading passengers, they can drop a new battery on the ship. This technology will change the direction for the shipping industry.”

    Installing batteries on the electric ferry.

    A greener industry

    Brown said Pacific Northwest companies are showing a greater interest in reducing emissions, but the maritime industry as a whole has been slow to shift ways of thinking.

    “The maritime industry is extremely conservative. Companies are looking for something reliable and safe for their ships. The industry is risk averse, however saving money is a pretty compelling argument. With environmental regulations coming into effect, battery technology is at the intersection of all those things.”

    Sterling PBES’s battery technology has proven itself to be safe and reliable, and the economic benefits are clear. Despite upfront costs, in many cases the battery system pays for itself in under three years and provides savings for at least 10 years.

    “Hybrid battery systems provide 25 percent or better fuel savings on any ship. It’s a really significant way to reduce emissions. It’s reliable, safe, quiet, and better for the crew. There are no fumes, vibrations, or noise, and companies save a lot of money on fuel, while environmental requirements are satisfied 100 percent.”

    Ferry ForSea batteries in shipping container.

    Maritime Accelerator

    Brown applied for the Maritime Accelerator cohort to meet likeminded people in the maritime community.

    “I hoped to spend time rubbing shoulders with organizations like the Port of Seattle and Washington State Ferries, mostly to get a handle on how to develop and bring products to market that meet their needs. Rather than sitting in an isolated bubble inventing products we hope people would like, we wanted to look at what the market actually requires. CanPower is a result of those conversations.”

    In the program, Brown connected with people from all corners of the industry, sharing experiences with companies that recycle fishing nets, make fish jerky, or build consumer-oriented battery powered small boats.

    “We wouldn’t normally have direct contact with those types of groups; having these contacts broadens our breadth of knowledge on how to develop products that are more inclusive of different disciplines,” he said.

    Brown said the Accelerator helps to infuse new ideas and innovation into a traditional industry.

    “The maritime industry has been sort of on its own; it’s somewhat of an isolated bubble unto itself. The injection of new ideas into the maritime industry helps propel it forward so it doesn’t get left behind. It helps us stays relevant and current. The industry benefits from new ways of thinking. A lot of participants in the accelerator are quite young, and they’ve grown up in different eras than those sitting with power in the industry.”

    Connecting robot to ship for battery charging

    Next steps

    In the coming months, Sterling PBES will continue rolling out innovations on their new CanPower product, and work through a redesign of the main battery component.

    “We’re trying to lower costs and increase the ability to broaden our supply chain,” he said.

    They are also looking at entering into adjacent markets to the maritime industry.

    “We are looking at providing power for port equipment, refrigeration systems and remote communities. We are looking at providing energy storage with wind or solar systems for places like Puerto Rico or small islands in the Pacific Northwest.”

    Brown said his time in the Accelerator program opened his eyes to different processes and business practices that have been beneficial as Sterling PBES continues to grow.

    “We are thankful we were included, and we’ll take the lessons and tools that we learned with our company as we grow, and hopefully we will be able to offer some experience and perspective to new cohorts going forward” he said.

    PBES battery installation

  • Advances in Battery Safety and Technology: Energy Storage Safety; Lessons Learned in Practical Application

    Advances in Battery Safety and Technology: Energy Storage Safety; Lessons Learned in Practical Application

    Published In Energetica India on October 9, 2020 by News Bureau. Link to the article can be found here.

    By Brent Perry | CEO, Sterling PBES

    Battery technology has evolved very quickly, but the lithium-ion energy storage industry is still relatively young. As of today, there are few commercial systems that can claim to have been in operation for more than 10 years.  Despite this, the economic and environmental advantages of battery storage have meant that there are now hundreds of systems operating around the worldBattery technology has evolved very quickly, but the lithium-ion energy storage industry is still relatively young. As of today, there are few commercial systems that can claim to have been in operation for more than 10 years.  Despite this, the economic and environmental advantages of battery storage have meant that there are now hundreds of systems operating around the world.

    In 2009, I was a part of the group that produced the first lithium batteries for industrial applications. These were designed to demonstrate the principal that Megawatt scale Energy Storage Systems (ESS) could deliver real commercial value; at the time, there were a lot of doubters. Today, we have evolved not only performance, but also safety, integration, cost and risk management to much more predictable levels. The data obtained from constant commercial use continues to provide valuable information that allows us to continuously improve our systems. 

    This data and experience have led to significant improvements in battery design resulting in improved safety, system life, risk reduction and overall performance. The improved performance of modern industrial batteries has also changed the market. Lower system cost means more and more renewable energy installations are now finding true ROI from energy storage.

    Safety

    One critical weakness from the lithium-ion battery industry is fire safety, with the main concern being how to provide a cost-effective system while maintaining operational safety. This challenge was at the top of our minds in every design decision, and we addressed with our patented CellCoolTM cooling system. A cooling system so effective, it removes the risk of thermal runaway. 

    The principal is very simple; reduce the temperature of the cells at a faster rate than the cell increases in temperature. No matter how hard you work them, with CellCool a Sterling PBES battery will not achieve the temperature required to go into thermal runaway.  We worked in cooperation with regulators to develop safety tests designed to demonstrate that the batteries are inherently safe. 

    Even in these very demanding tests, we have proven success. Our CellCool system is able to prevent thermal runaway, making every system safer to operate.  This is done with an inherently simple liquid cooling system and cannot be achieved with air cooling systems due to the inefficiency of heat to air transfer. 

    Safety has other considerations as well. We designed a Battery Management System (BMS) that is inherently focussed on protecting the facility, the battery system and the cells.  This is done at its core by monitoring the voltage and temperature of every individual cell in the system, and then balancing the performance within safe operating parameters. 

    Another critical element of safety in design has been the inclusion of contactors in the individual battery modules. We are building DC voltage systems that range from 300-1500VDC, therefore the risk of personal injury in transportation, installation and service have high potential. For example, a 1500 VDC arc flash can permanently disable a technician.  By adding contactors in the individual battery modules, we eliminate voltage at the terminals until the system is fully engaged and the BMS can confirm that all cables are correctly installed. There is no voltage or power to the terminals as long as the contactor is open. Contactors also reduce the risk by isolating the modules as single units no matter how large the overall system size. The element of crew safety of our technicians and the operation staff cannot be overstated in terms of benefit to our customers. Instead of relying on specially qualified technologists, we can now train the customer’s engineers to do maintenance. This design decision was not free, but it is the right way to go to improve overall safety and reduce costs for our customers.

    Cost

    Another critical part of the design of a battery is not the actual battery itself, but the space the battery operates in. The added costs of necessary safety systems can be significant. Most battery suppliers off-load these safety measures onto other contractors and by not including them in the quoted price of the battery. These add-on systems are critical to the performance and safety of a battery and are therefore included in every Sterling PBES system deployed.

    Another benefit of liquid cooling is the ability to predict the lifespan of our systems. Air cooled batteries are dependent on the ambient temperature to manage the overall life of a lithium battery. Even a small increase in battery room temperature has a significant reduction in calendar life.  In contrast, liquid cooling maintains the temperature of the cells at a fixed range eliminating the impact of ambient temperature on lifespan.

    Size and Cost

    The other significant feature of any system is the percentage of energy available on a continuous basis. On air-cooled designs, the continuous rating is about 70%. This means that if 1MW of energy is required, a battery of 1.4MWh of capacity will operate at 1MW load – a larger, heavier system that is significantly more costly to install and maintain.  If we assumed that the battery system cost $100/kWh, then a 1.4MWh battery adds $140,000 to the capital cost of the system.

    With Sterling PBES CellCool, the battery can operate at an average continuous rate of 300%. A 1MWh system can now be met with a 350kWh battery; much smaller, much lighter, and much less costly to install, with only a $35,000 budget needed.

    Sustainability

    A battery that can last for ten years is a pretty amazing thing, but it will likely not match the lifespan of the power generation system it is supporting. This equates to battery system replacement every five or ten years.  In analyzing a system, our engineers realized that the most significant reason for ESS replacement was the fact the cells will age with time and use.

    With Sterling PBES CellSwapTM the cells of a battery module are able to be replaced within 30 minutes.  Cell swap means that the battery system life span is now the same as that of the power generation system.  With this inclusion, the design of the battery system is now in line with market requirements.

    Recycling will have an increasingly prominent role in decision making in coming years. This is part of the benefit of a cell swap; we can recycle the lithium cells at a very low cost because only the cells are replaced – the other hardware is reused. While often overlooked, it is necessary for any company that uses ESS in commercial operations to include this operational expenditure in their impact analysis.

    Where to next?  Commercial needs will continue to drive improvements. Gone are the days when a battery was a fire and forget proposition. They are now an integral part of the overall system design and can provide significant ROI when deployed thoughtfully and with care. Modern batteries can provide safe, reliable service for decades and, when integrated correctly, reduce the system size and cost of any renewable grid energy system.

     

  • PBES Norway and Norwegian Solar AS announce Partnership Agreement on Containerized Storage for Solar Projects

    Norwegian Solar offers PBES energy storage to support renewable energy generation

    PBES and Norwegian Solar AS today announced a partnership agreement to provide PBES energy storage to support solar power generation in global markets. PBES will supply containerized storage solutions for Norwegian Solar’s systems being deployed in the USA and Saudi Arabia. This partnership underscores the rapid development of solar energy around the world, and the need for energy storage providers to create innovative flexible solutions to ensure maximum feasibility for renewables projects.

    PBES’ storage solutions will be used to help the solar projects cope with peaks in demand by supporting higher output loads, as well as balancing out the supply by storing energy generated during the day at night. With the containerised design enabling rapid installation, this will contribute significantly to the success of solar projects around the globe.

    “Norwegian Solar is a company with similar drive and ambition to PBES,” said Brent Perry, PBES Chief Executive Officer. “Their attention to quality customer service and ability to move quickly provide PBES with confidence that they are an ideal partner to bring our energy storage products to solar customers in the USA and Saudi Arabia.”

    “We are pleased to announce the agreement with PBES,” stated Nils-Ivar Dyngeland, CEO and Founder, Norwegian Solar AS. “Much of the future of energy generation will be based on turn-key integrated solar and energy storage. After careful evaluation, the advantages of PBES’ innovations such as liquid cooling and CellSwap became clear. The company’s solution driven values fit well with our own.”

    The PBES energy storage system has been designed to the highest standards of performance, safety and sustainability. It is designed to seamlessly integrate with all types of power generation in a variety of applications.