ACEP tries out battery/turbine integration for microgrids

Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) will use the EnerDel Vibor+ battery pack as part of the testing on Oceana Energy’s hydrokinetic turbine.

The EnerDel Vigor+ 11kWh battery pack will support the collaboration between ACEP and Oceana Energy by assisting with the integration of Oceana’s direct-drive hydrokinetic generator with an islanded microgrid-ready interface.

The coupling will enable Oceana’s turbine to follow demand in an islanded microgrid without requiring additional power sources to be online, according to ACEP.

Marc Mueller-Stoffels, Program Director for Power Systems Integration at ACEP, said: “At ACEP, we regularly are searching for power systems components on the bleeding-edge of development, yet likely to survive the harsh operating conditions found in remote regions. The EnerDel Vigor+ package meets our technical requirements, as well as, exhibits the necessary quality and robustness required for resilient power systems.”

The battery, PP320-394 Vigor+, is a compact, flexible, and modular lithium-ion battery pack currently operating in applications ranging from transportation to microgrids throughout the United States and Canada.

As reported earlier, ACEP’s team started the preparatory activities for the Oceana testing at ACEP’s Energy Technology Facility back in September 2016.

Oceana Energy is US-based technology company focused on developing marine turbines that produce electric power from flowing currents of ocean tides and rivers.

Based at the University of Alaska, ACEP is dedicated to applied energy research and testing focused on lowering the cost of energy throughout Alaska.