A123 Systems to Provide Grid Battery System for UK Smart Grid Project

A123 Systems, a provider of battery energy storage solutions, will provide six grid battery systems (GBS) for the UK's largest smart grid project to enhance the country's ability to power peaks and valleys and manage voltage fluctuations.

The six battery systems are expected to be delivered by the end of the year to Northern Powergrid and will be included in the "Customer-Oriented Network Revolution (CLNR)" smart grid project. It is reported that the CLNR project has also been funded by the Lowge Network Fund of the Office of Energy Electricity Regulatory Organization of the United Kingdom (Ofgem). Northern Powergrid is a power distribution network operator responsible for supplying electricity to more than 3.8 million subscribers in the UK.

A123 Battery Company developed Nanophosphate lithium iron phosphate battery system is very advanced, it contains a smart grid domain controller, when the clean energy into the power grid can adjust the voltage in order to maintain the stability of the grid to ensure power quality. The GBS unit provided to Northern Powergrid includes a 2.5 MW system, two 100 kW systems and three 50 kW systems.

It is understood that the amount of electricity stored in each battery system can be maintained for two hours, thereby increasing the flexibility of the distribution network and facilitating the delivery of stable and reliable power to users.

“Power grid operators all over the world have encountered various technical bottlenecks when trying to increase renewable energy generation capacity. In the UK, distribution networks often have certain limitations, making it difficult for wind energy and solar energy to be connected to the grid at large scale,” but Robert Johnson, vice president of Energy Solutions Group at A123, said, “Battery energy storage can overcome these difficulties by effectively managing grid voltage levels and is looking forward to working with Northern Powergrid to advance the CLNR smart grid project, which we believe is a showcase of GBS solutions. A great opportunity for versatility and performance."

Background introduction:

A123 Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: AONE) is principally engaged in the development and manufacture of advanced lithium-ion batteries and battery systems, and is primarily targeted at transportation, power grid services, and commercial markets.