US-based CODA Energy’s
behind-the-meter lithium-ion phosphate energy storage system in
the Los Angeles basin is now interconnected and operational.
The 1,054kWh/510kW system is comprised of electric vehicle (EV)
battery cell packs.
"CODA Energy set high goals for this year.
We now have proven solutions that cover the full spectrum of
our commercial and industrial customers’ needs for
peak power and energy," said Peter Nortman, CODA
Energy’s COO and CTO.
The project was developed under a contract
with South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and
co-funded by California’s Self-Generation
Incentive Program (SGIP). The project hopes to demonstrate the
scalability of CODA Energy’s peak shaving product
architecture by managing demand charges for its facility
headquarters in Monrovia, California.
 |
Light up the sky: CODA Energy will be powering
the Los Angeles basin with an energy storage system
powered by Li-ion-phosphate batteries
Source: Emmanuel_D.Photography, via
Flickr |
"Our behind-the-meter active and
interconnected storage systems range from a 40kWh UL listed
energy storage appliance to this 1,054 kWh scaled and tailored
aggregation solution," he added.
The system is comprised of two networked
and aggregated multi-tower systems that can operate in concert
or deliver independent services. CODA hopes its scalable
hardware and proprietary networking software gives its system
configuration ample flexibility and the potential to operate
across a local or regional level.
New storage market
At this year’s Battery Show in
Michigan, speakers underlined the importance of diversifying
the use of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, like those being
used by CODA. Enersys’ president, Dave Shaffer,
insisted that battery producers must be geographically and
technically adaptable to preserve the future sustainability of
the market.
John Gagge, vice president for reserve power sales and service
at EnerSys Americas, highlighted the growing energy demands of
major cities and emphasised that there was a major opportunity
for energy storage providers.
Archan Padmanabhan, stationary energy
storage specialist for EV maker Tesla Motors Inc., spoke of the
company’s drive to develop stationary energy
solutions that will allow Tesla to meet its target of enabling
widespread, sustainable transportation.
"It’s not just important to
have EVs on the road, but to have them charged by cleaner
sources of energy," said Parbmanabhan.
French battery maker Saft is currently
developing a Li-ion energy storage system for the Hawaiian island of
Kauai to regulate its electricity supply from renewable
sources. The rest of Hawaii is seeking to transform its energy
distribution system by 2017.
At the Battery Show, Kamen Nechev, chief
technology officer at Saft, said that while performance
advantages and storage ability remain key determinants of
battery demand it will ultimately be costs that define whether
the technology is viable.
The high cost of R&D and the varying
demands of the technically multifaceted industrial sector are
major obstacles that need to be overcome for projects to be
workable. As a result, new sources of raw material are likely
to be needed to prevent price inflation as demand from the
battery sector grows.