Three of the four Imergy batteries will be used in conjunction with solar systems in Hawaii. Image: SolarCity.
Imergy Power Systems, the California-based energy storage specialist, has received an order for four of its ESP5 vanadium flow batteries from Hawaiian renewables firm, Energy Research Systems.
Three of the 5kW capacity batteries will be used in conjunction with solar systems, two residential one on a school, while the fourth will be used as part of a micro-grid to test various off-grid technologies.
With a stressed grid and high electricity prices, Hawaii is one of the leading US solar states, and has also been active in exploring the possibilities offered by storage.
“As these customers demonstrate, the combination of solar power systems and Imergy vanadium flow batteries is a cost-effective solution for areas with high electricity prices or limited grid capabilities,” said Dr. Herve Mazzocco, director of business development for Imergy Power Systems. “From residential island homes to advanced energy technology power testing facilities, a rapidly growing number of customers around the world are choosing to install Imergy vanadium flow batteries.”
Imergy’s technology stores electricity in a liquid electrolyte that circulates between tanks.
The company is able to obtain the vanadium from mining slag, a process it claims makes its technology 40% cheaper than its competitors – US$300 per kilowatt hour compared to US$500 for a turnkey system.