Energy storage can be an extensive value enabler for existing customers of UPS systems, while attracting new commercial and industrial (C&I) users into the space, a spokesman for Vertiv has said.
Formerly known as Emerson Network Power until its acquisition in 2016 by investment group Platinum Equity, the company has specialised in providing electricity for critical infrastructure and uninterrupted power systems (UPS) to businesses, building on decades of prior experience.
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At this year’s Energy Storage Summit in London, many eyes were on the ‘usual suspects’ of system integrators and technology providers that the industry has long been familiar with, but newer names in the context of the battery energy storage industry including Vertiv were also showcasing their solutions and product offerings.
Energy-Storage.News spoke with Vertiv’s vice president for sales, AC power and business development for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Emiliano Cevenini at the event in the video interview you can watch below.
According to Cevenini, Vertiv’s background in UPS, including work at data centres and other ‘critical users’, has set the company up well to diversify into battery energy storage. Many have invested in UPS solutions, but find that power resiliency is not really a concern, to give one set of examples. For these customers, Cevenini said, that are “literally waiting for something bad to happen” that most likely will not happen, there are opportunities for their batteries “to do more”. Adding services, whether behind-the-meter or front-of-meter, adds to the overall business case.
These customers, Cevenini, who also spoke onstage at the event, said, want batteries not only for back-up, but also “for something proactive”. Conversely, Cevenini said, adding services and therefore potential revenue streams makes battery energy storage an option for ‘non-critical’ customers that might not have considered it previously.
In the interview, Vertiv’s Emiliano Cevenini discusses:
- Macro-drivers for energy storage: how they vary around the world and how the bankability of lithium-ion drives the industry forward at present
- How Vertiv’s background in UPS and solutions delivery means they have a large installed base of customers potentially ready for batteries, and further opportunities to acquire customers through as the value of energy storage grows in recognition.
- Why it’s understandable that energy procurement professionals for C&I customers are intrigued, but wary of “disrupting” the existing status quo when it comes to trying new options for saving money or energy.
- How the technology in a traditional UPS system can be a good fit for delivering both front-of-meter and behind-the-meter energy storage applications and why the customer should not notice any difference in day-to-day operations.
- How advanced lithium-ion could “potentially” be revolutionary for Vertiv’s overall business case.
- Why some regions including much of Europe are more open to “independently funded system integrators” taking on energy storage projects, while other regions appear to be putting the future more in the hands of utilities.