“People need reliable, clean power around the clock, not just when the sun shines or the wind blows.” – Bruce Anderson, founder & CEO of US technology developer 247Solar.
In rural areas of developing countries, access to electricity often is limited even where it exists. National and regional grids can be unreliable. Off-grid, power is often provided by basic PV installations, which operate only during the day. Battery storage, if any, only lasts a few hours. Diesel gensets are dirty and fuel costs are high.
Now, for communities of 5,000 people or more, 247Solar offers reliable clean power 24 hours a day. The company’s 200 kW HeatStorE™ thermal battery converts surplus electricity from PV, wind, or the grid to heat and stores it for 9 hours or more, more than enough to power rural communities through the night.
Replaces gensets
During prolonged periods of bad weather, HeatStorE™ becomes a 21st-century genset, providing continuous power, even when its energy storage is fully depleted. HeatStorE burns a wide variety of liquid or gaseous fuels, including hydrogen. By doing so, the system is its own backup, and because its storage is long duration, it can reduce fuel costs 80-90% compared to diesel alone.
24/7 solar power and industrial heat
HeatStorE™ is different from conventional short-duration batteries in many ways. One of the most significant is that it is capable of supplying industrial-grade heat for steam production, crop drying, refrigeration, water purification and other uses. This means that in addition to round-the-clock power, communities can attract new industries, create jobs, and increase their economic well-being.
How it works
HeatStorE™ converts electricity to heat, and then stores the heat in inexpensive material like ordinary sand at temperatures of nearly 1,000℃. As needed, air is blown through the storage container, and the super-heated air that emerges is used to drive a unique turbine that runs without burning any fuel as long as stored heat is available.
All of HeatStorE’s components are factory produced, and the system has few moving parts. It can be assembled and maintained by local workers, and, in more industrialised countries, many components can be produced locally as well.
Jobs, jobs, jobs
Lack of reliable electricity is a major obstacle to economic development in many regions. With climate change looming, fossil fuel-based solutions are no longer viable. By adding HeatStorE™ to PV or wind and removing diesel gensets, remote communities can now enjoy reliable clean power and heat around the clock. This enables them to lower their overall costs of electricity and increase productive outputs, leading to job creation, economic growth, and improved quality of life.
Original Article: Alliance for Rural Electrification April 2022 Newsletter : Energy Storage Trends
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