New project launched to optimise energy storage
A PROJECT to manage and optimise complex energy requirements for industrial and commercial sites is now underway.
The Battery Optimisation and Storage System project (BOSS) creates additional on-site energy storage capacity with repurposed batteries from Renault electric vehicles (EVs). Used intelligently, this extra storage capacity enables sites to take control of their energy management, delivering substantial economic and environmental savings. An innovative combination of technologies, it also integrates and optimises other local infrastructure such as renewable energy generation and EV charging.
BOSS is led by EDF Energy, in partnership with Route Monkey and Connected Energy, a subsidiary of Future Transport Systems. It is part-funded by the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK.
Xavier Mamo, R&D Director, EDF Energy R&D UK Centre said: "Commercial and industrial sites are faced with an increasing localised demand for low carbon energy. Project BOSS is bringing together experts from EDF Energy's R&D UK Centre, Route Monkey and Connected Energy to demonstrate a cost-effective, local energy storage solution to help alleviate this growing pressure. This system aims to deliver greater capacity from existing assets, along with improved efficiencies and lower costs for the customer."
BOSS combines technologies to encompass key aspects of local energy use and generation, including maximising the value of on-site renewables, minimising exposure to peak tariffs, and managing site peak loads as well as EV charging.
For Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), enhanced local energy storage capacity can reduce the need for expensive network upgrades, required to meet growing energy demands from EV charging. In addition to minimising energy costs for the site, the project will also evaluate opportunities for the system to provide services to the national grid.
The BOSS project will integrate a 50kWh E-STOR energy storage unit provided by Connected Energy, with a site energy management and optimisation system developed by Route Monkey.
The modular E-STOR system, which can be scaled to the requirements of each specific site, uses EV batteries from Renault that have completed their automotive life. These second life batteries typically retain up to 75 per cent of their energy storage capabilities. E-STOR creates another use for them prior to recycling.
Route Monkey's complex algorithms automate and optimise energy management, in real time. Its unique software integrates generation from micro-renewables, local energy storage and management, access to off-peak tariffs, and high capacity EV charging.
The project plans to commission an installation at a site in the North of England, where the system will integrate with and manage infrastructure including a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel array and EV charging stations. This site will also link to an existing E-STOR installation in Norfolk that also features EV charging, PV and micro-wind generation. In this way, the project can evaluate the benefits to individual sites, as well as the grid-level benefits achieved by aggregating and optimising the two systems.
EDF Energy is commissioning the demonstrator, and is responsible for overall project management.
Matthew Lumsden, managing director of Connected Energy, said: "The BOSS project enables us to learn more about how our E-STOR units can be commercially operated within a distributed energy storage portfolio. Combining E-STOR with optimisation software will help us provide our customers with maximum commercial and environmental benefits."
Colin Ferguson, CEO of Route Monkey said: "Our solution optimises E-STOR, enabling energy from renewable sources or off-peak tariffs to be stored for later use. This significantly reduces the cost and carbon footprint of the site's energy needs. Our ability to forecast aggregate energy demand for multiple sites also enables wholesale energy purchasing at more attractive rates."
