Sheffield based energy storage manufacturer Powerstar has invested £500,000 (US$651,000) in a new laboratory and ‘grid scale emulator’ (GSE) to test battery storage systems.
Powerstar said the GSE would allow it to run grid challenge simulations on energy storage systems to test and understand how they react to potential extreme grid events.
The new lab will also develop software for remote monitoring and bespoke programming of smart energy systems— helping clients “streamline” their energy use.
Chief technical officer Solon Mardapittas said the lab aims to “increase the range of (monitoring and management) activities to ensure maximum value is delivered”.
In 2015, Powerstar launched its Virtue energy storage system, which can function as either a virtual power station or provide uninterrupted power supply for limited periods. Virtue has been further tested in the new lab.
Powerstar’s move is further evidence of firms looking to invest in battery storage in the UK. Earlier this year UK firm Pivot Power unveiled plans to build a two- gigawatt network of grid-scale batteries and rapid EV charging stations across England and Wales.