Mobile Renewable Energy Systems for emergency services

A recent joint project between GridEdge, Earthworker Energy and DEECA was to build 3 prototype portable renewable energy systems to supply renewable power for replacement of large diesel generators in emergency response settings supporting DELWP, CFA and SES

The prototypes were;

– 58 kWh battery energy storage, 20 kVA inverter capacity, single phase and 15 kW PV in a custom-built shell on skids similar to current diesel generators

– 20 kWh battery energy storage, 5 kVA inverter capacity and 1.5 kW PV in a portable Trailer

– A portable site hut with built-in 9.6 kWh battery, 5 kVA inverter capacity and 5 kVA PV generation capacity

Continue reading “Mobile Renewable Energy Systems for emergency services”

Problems solved with battery storage

One of the biggest problems with the efforts to use renewable energy to produce large amounts of the energy consumed on a daily basis has been its inability to reliably supply power at the times it is most needed. This can and will be addressed with the installation of battery systems that allow households, businesses and energy network providers to store renewable energy for use at night or in peak periods.

Solar panels convert the sun’s rays into electricity during the day with maximum generation being between the hours of 11 to 3pm. Unfortunately, for most people unless you are home during the day 80% of this power gets fed back into the grid for very little return. Likewise, although energy generation through wind is now very efficient and cost effective the times when wind produces energy can be intermittent.

Batteries also reduce the amount of electricity that is exported to the grid from rooftop solar during the middle of the day. This has the capacity to significantly reduce variability and stabilise grid supply. Continue reading “Problems solved with battery storage”

Molten salt energy storage for South Australia

South Australia approves 150 MW concentrated solar thermal plant

Although , using molten salt,  this is a different technological process to our SoNick, sodium nickel chloride batteries but adds credence to the benefits of using molten salt as a storage medium for batteries. Unlike the lithium batteries that are so popular at the moment molten salt batteries are non-toxic, cannot catch fire and go into thermal runaway and are recyclable at end of life with current processes not hopefully at some time in the future.
South Australia approves 150MW concentrated solar thermal plant

South Australia has made a commitment to concentrated solar thermal, the towering clean energy storage solution seen by many as a serious contender for utility-scale moderator as intermittent sources of energy replace coal and gas generation.

The Aurora Solar Energy Project located in Port Augusta, about 300km north of Adelaide, will incorporate eight hours of storage or 1,100 MWh, allowing it to operate like a conventional coal or gas power station. Continue reading “Molten salt energy storage for South Australia”

John with our Quantum poster

John-with-Quantum-poster

Grid Edge has developed its own plug and play smart energy storage solution, that uses the
rechargeable Sodium Nickel battery technology.

This “Quantum” unit has an inverter incorporated into it as well as all the wiring and BMS system to allow you to monitor your battery from anywhere. It is designed to be easily installed without the need for long installation times needed by expert renewable energy qualified installers which reduces the installed cost. Continue reading “John with our Quantum poster”