The Finnish technology and energy group Wärtsilä launched a new generation of smart energy storage systems. The Quantum High Energy storage range utilises liquid-cooled 306Ah battery cells for high performance and for optimisation of usable energy during the lifecycle.
Another feature is space reduction. The energy density is 9% higher than in the previous version, which means less land required and fewer units to be installed for equal performance.
Quantum is compatible with Wärtsilä’s sophisticated GEMS Digital Energy Management Platform. The platform monitors, controls and optimises energy assets, both on site and portfolio levels. GEMS can support large energy storage facilities and it enables several advanced grid support services including black start, island operation and virtual synchronous generator (VSG). It is also evolving to provide predictive battery analytics.
The Quantum concept includes firewalls to reduce the risk of thermal propagation, gas detection ports, a central sprinkler system and leakage protection for coolants and for electrolytes. The batteries are tested according to the UL9540A standard.
“Quantum is the safest, most competitive design on the market,” said Darrell Furlong, director of energy storage product management and hardware engineering at Wärtsilä Energy.
“Over the past year, we have conducted several large-scale fire safety tests and participated in numerous standards to improve the entire industry’s safety record. And we are committed to maintaining our 100% fire safety record for our GridSolv Quantum energy storage system.”
Wärtsilä Energy aims to incorporate sodium-ion batteries into its energy storage solutions to gradually replace and complement the present lithium-ion cells.
Wärtsilä claims to be the third largest energy storage system integrator, according to S&P Global, with a portfolio of over 3.5GW and more than 7.5GWh of energy storage capacity awarded, contracted, or in deployment.
