Northvolt, Vattenfall launch modular battery storage

Northvolt and Vattenfall have launched a new battery energy storage unit, Voltpack Mobile System, which the two Swedish companies said is a modular lithium-ion battery system envisioned as a zero-emission alternative to diesel generators.

It is expected to serve as a modular power supply solution that can be configured to meet the energy and power requirements of a range of scenarios.

Prime applications include powering remote electricity grids, reinforcing weak grids, supporting electric vehicle charging and delivering grid services such as balancing power, flexibility, or other ancillary services.

The system can be deployed for operations lasting days, weeks or even longer periods of time, according to Northvolt, which opens Voltpack Mobile System up to leasing opportunities and is expected to significantly expand the system’s utility.

Emad Zand, President of Battery Systems, Northvolt, said, “We see an increased need from the market for flexible solutions, both in terms of use case but also location.”

He added, “Voltpack Mobile System is designed to give our customers a fleet of assets that can be redeployed, repurposed and connected seamlessly.

“Vattenfall has been an invaluable partner of Northvolt since our earliest days, and their contributions to this project have enabled us to accelerate development of a product built to customer requirements.”

Vattenfall is a European energy company with operations mainly in Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and the UK.

Torbjörn Johansson, Head of Vattenfall Network Solutions Sweden, said, “The need for flexible energy solutions such as energy storage is vital for the transition to the new energy system.”

“Energy storage provides fast access to power when customers need to peak-shave or the capacity of the grid connection is insufficient.

“The battery storage solution will be offered as part of our concept “Power-as-a-service,” which means that we deliver a complete package with ownership of the energy storage and manage it to the specification of the customer.”

Within the project, Northvolt has led the development and production of core technologies, including battery and complementary inverter systems and the battery management system. Voltpacks are designed and built by Northvolt.

Drawing on the company’s experience of delivering commercial grid solutions to market, Vattenfall has supported Voltpack Mobile System project development to tailor the product to match the needs of the market, by advising on design and functionality.

Final validation of the system will be undertaken at Vattenfall’s test and certification centre in Älvkarleby, Sweden.

Vattenfall will be the first to offer the battery unit to the market.

Voltpack Mobile System delivers up to 250kW with a scalable capacity from 245 to 1,225kWh of available energy.

The system scales through a central interface hub, which can connect in parallel up to five self-contained Voltpacks, each containing three liquid-cooled, industrial-grade battery Voltpack Cores.

The hub also serves as an interface for applications, and houses inverter and auxiliary systems. If further power or storage capacity is needed, multiple units can be connected in parallel.

This news story was originally published by sister magazine New Power Progress.