ESS4U, the Dutch Eindhoven-based off-grid technology company, has launched a new lead battery for home use. The Quirmit battery is a modular unit containing gel-acid lead battery cells, which can store energy from PV panels or small wind turbines on a normal family house.
Dop Brzesowsky, Managing Director at ESS4U said: “Our group, with the parent company TSS4U, has more than 20 years of experience in using gel technology for large industrial off-grid solar energy projects.”
The battery cells of the Qurmit consist of 50% recycled material. ESS4U claims the battery chemistry is fire-safe and non-toxic. Brzesowsky continues: “Because our Qurmit home battery is fireproof, we also solve the problems with insurance, which often does not cover damage caused by home batteries based on lithium-ion technology.”
The new battery may not match the energy density of lithium-ion counterparts, but thanks to a good charging system that considers not only the battery technology, but also the capacity, temperature and state of charge, the disadvantages are reduced. The charging regime developed by ESS4U is specially designed to extend the battery life by up to 25%.
Qurmit has a charging capacity of 2kW and a discharge capacity of 2.4kW. A back-up option automatically switches the battery on if the electricity grid fails. The 128 x 73 x 48 cm unit can be operated indoors or outdoors, from -40°C to 55°C. The battery cells of the Qurmit do not require active cooling or heating.
