New Grid Battery Could Solve Peak Energy Demands

December 7th, 2008 by Jerry James Stone

[social_buttons]GreenSmith Energy Management Systems has unveiled technology it claims can solve the peak demand issues experienced by U.S. utilities.

The company has created a battery control-management system, that when paired with a lithium ion battery, can store up to 20 kilowatt-hours. The system can then deliver a full 4,000 discharge cycles.

Ideally, utilities could charge the system at night when energy is cheaper to produce and then discharge that energy in to the grid during peak hours. Is it just me that hates using the word discharge?

“Utilities are far more receptive to distributed storage technologies than they are to smart grid, and for a reason,” CEO Rodney Smith told the Cleantech Group. “Grid replacement is like trying to replace the air traffic control system. You have to put a lot of money into it before you see any rewards from it. With our technology, you get the benefit right away.”

The part I am enthusiastic about is how the system can be paired up with renewable energy sources. For example, wind and solar could be better aligned with demand. And while consumers are not the target audience, Smith did say that the devices could be modified for home use.

Source: Cleantech Group | Photo: © Sofiaworld | Dreamstime.com









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