A123 Systems, a developer and manufacturer of advanced Nanophosphate lithium-ion batteries and systems, has announced that it will supply six of its Grid Battery (GB) Systems to Northern Powergrid, an electricity distribution network in the U.K.
The GB Systems will be designed for peak-load shifting and to manage fluctuations in voltage on the U.K.'s power grid. Expected to be operational by the end of this year, the systems will be deployed as part of the Customer-Led Network Revolution (CLNR), a smart grid project funded through the Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets' (Ofgem) low-carbon networks fund.
"The CLNR will evaluate a number of innovative network technologies to accommodate increasing quantities of low-carbon loads and renewable generation necessary to meet the U.K.'s climate change goals," says Jim Cardwell, head of regulation and strategy at Northern Powergrid. "One aspect of this multifaceted project is to determine how the use of storage technology may reduce peak loading on our network and thereby offset the need for network reinforcement."
The six GB Systems that A123 will supply to Northern Powergrid include a 2.5 MW system, two 100 kW systems and three 50 kW systems. Each will be designed to maintain power capabilities for up to two hours, according to the company.
