Energy storage system could provide 24-hour solar power

A new energy storage system could enable businesses and consumers to store energy generated through their solar systems. South Australian company ZEN Energy Systems announced its ZEN Freedom Power Bank at the International Cleantech Forum in San Francisco, claiming that it has the potential to change the way electricity is utilised.

“With the capability and flexibility to store energy generated by solar or wind power or capture off-peak power for later use, the ZEN Freedom Power Bank offers enormous benefits to householders, businesses and utilities,” said Richard Turner, CEO of ZEN Energy Systems.

The system comprises high-density storage lithium-ion batteries linked to ‘active’ battery balancing and control software and allows both ‘on-grid’ and ‘off-grid’ management options.

The system allows power generated through solar systems to be stored for later use, potentially allowing home-produced solar electricity to be used 24 hours a day. If the solar system does not generate enough power, the Power Bank can be topped up with off-peak electricity from the grid.

“The base residential/business system will be capable of managing and storing 20 kilowatt hours of energy per day, which is the daily consumption of an average Australian home. For larger properties, additional 20 kWh energy storage modules can be easily added,” said Turner.

“Reliance on the public grid is greatly reduced and it provides up to 24-hour energy backup if the grid goes down. Looking to the future, the Power Bank will be electric vehicle charge station ready, offering householders the ability to generate power to run their own home and car,” he added.

ZEN Energy Systems also anticipates its storage system will take pressure off energy companies. By utilising a series of linked energy storage systems at a local suburban level, power companies could store power during times of low demand, retrieving it during peak demand times. This may reduce the need for expensive upgrades of transformers and other infrastructure.

“In effect, ZEN is helping to optimise current infrastructure rather than continually upgrading or building new equipment to meet the ever-increasing peak demand,” Turner said.

The storage system may be useful for areas affected by natural disasters or events where infrastructure is inadequate, the company said.

ZEN plans to assemble the systems in South Australia for global export. Prototypes are being tested with several utility companies and the product is in the final stages of the certification and approval process. ZEN expects the Residential and Business systems to enter the market in July 2012 and the Utility Scale format to be ready by October 2012.