Saft, Acciona Energia To Develop Energy Storage Systems For PV Plants

Published: 28-Jul-2010

Saft, a company that designs and manufactures batteries for industry, has inked a three-year deal with Spanish Acciona Energia, to work on Eurogia+ labelled project aimed at testing the technical and financial benefits of using a containerized lithium-ion energy storage system to improve the viability of PV and other renewable energy source power plants.

Under the initial part of the project, Saft will develop a modular Li-ion battery system inside a six-meter container designed for industrial applications for use at a PV plant in Tudela, Spain.

The container, which will feature active temperature control systems and a fire suppression system, will be designed to interface with existing power conversion devices, delivering 1.1MW power at up to 1,000V.

As a part of the project, Acciona Energia will also develop new control systems to integrate PV plants within the grid, and test new PV technologies, to reduce the cost of energy, improve grid stability and back-up power security.

Francois Bouchon, director of energy storage business unit at Saft, said: "We believe the introduction of containerized energy storage makes PV and other renewable energy source plants an increasingly attractive option for the future.

"The ability to address issues around reliability, stability and power management is a huge step for the power industry in its efforts to integrate ecological concerns."

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