Energy storage manufacturer ESS Inc. is set to deploy its long-duration iron flow batteries following a deal with Chilean utility Edelaysen.
The US company’s 300kW/2MWh Energy Warehouse technology will be used in a microgrid system alongside renewable resources in the Patagonia area of Chile.
Work on the project is underway, and is due to be commissioned later this year.
Edelaysen, a Chilean power company, could save around $3 million in diesel fuel and maintenance over the system’s 20-year life, and eliminate 12 years of diesel emissions.
Edelaysen’s grid is served by run-of-river hydropower that varies daily and seasonally, which requires supplemental diesel generators throughout the year to compensate for high demand.
Eric Dresselhuys, ESS’s CEO, said “Our analysis showed that if they used lithium-ion batteries, Edelaysen could only shut down their diesel gensets for about three months per year.
“Instead, our long-duration iron flow storage system will reduce the need to run them by three times as much – the equivalent of nine months a year. That’s a huge reduction in emissions, noise and cost.”
The Energy Warehouse system uses iron, salt, and water for the electrolyte.
Dresselhuys was made the company’s chief executive officer last month with the remit of guiding the company as it expands its market presence.
Craig Evans, co-founder and former CEO of ESS, remains as company’s president, and will lead several key areas, including: engineering, R&D and manufacturing, and accelerating the next-generation of product advancements.
