Nilar

Smart Grid and Backup Power

Over the next 10-15 years enormous investments will be made in the electrical infrastructure, where the intelligent smart grid systems are the most interesting business area. The electrical grid is undergoing a transformation with the advent of alternative energy sources, such as wind power and solar power becoming more prevalent. “Peak Shaving”, or the ability to handle surges in production or demand, is an important component in the grid of tomorrow, and energy storage is key to providing this function. With wind production, strong gusts cause spikes in electricity production and the grid cannot absorb these spikes, so much of this electricity is lost. With battery energy storage in wind parks, these spikes can be better absorbed by the batteries, then released to the grid over a longer period of time. Similarly with electrical energy distribution at the residential level, the ability to handle surges in demand during the day is important to ensuring the reliability of the grid. Community energy storage units, essentially battery packs next to residential transformers, are charged during the night when electricity costs are lowest, then release their energy during the peak demand periods throughout the day to reduce the overall load on the electrical grid.

Nilar is currently cooperating closely with a European based, global manufacturer who has been involved in developing energy storage systems for smart grid applications. Different types of energy storage solutions, including Lithium-ion and NiMH battery storage systems from other suppliers than Nilar, have been evaluated. The main problem with available energy storage systems is the complex battery management system needed to control the balancing of the battery cells when parallel connecting battery strings. A joint development project has been initiated with the aim of integrating large format battery modules with the power converter to reduce the need of parallel connecting battery strings, or at least reduce the need to control balancing between battery strings.