France’s nuclear and renewables company Areva and critical power supplier Schneider Electric have teamed up for the development of a flow battery storage solution.
The project, funded by the European Union, is aimed to optimise an existing 50kW flow battery prototype made by EnStorage to a 150kW demonstration module. The new energy storage solution will be designed to generate and store electricity from renewable energy by combining hydrobromic acid and hydrogen.
“This storage technology will provide the flexibility and stability needed to facilitate renewable integration,” said Schneider Electric energy business EVP Frédéric Abba.
Areva will manufacture and install the battery whereas Schneider Electric will design the complementary power conversion system. The companies will test the flow battery technology under real conditions.
“The energy storage market is fast-moving and highly competitive. In order to meet the energy needs of tomorrow Areva is diversifying its technology portfolio with the flow battery technology and broadening its cooperation agreement with its partner, Schneider Electric,” said François Durret, Areva renewables CEO.
In February 2014, the French companies signed a strategic partnership agreement to market energy management and storage solutions based on hydrogen production and fuel-cell technology with Areva’s Greenergy box, an energy storage solution that stores and releases energy to the grid.
