Solar battery storage unit to replace most diesel generators on building sites
Proelectic wants to make diesel generators on construction sites superfluous with its solar battery storage system. However, it doesn't quite work yet.
The ProCharge solar battery storage system can be used on construction sites.
(Image: Proelectric)
The British technology company Proelectric has developed the three-phase Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) ProCharge, which is intended to charge a 120 kWh lithium-ion battery using twelve high-performance solar panels to cover the energy demand on construction sites. The BESS could partially replace the frequently used diesel generators there and make construction sites more environmentally friendly.
The system consists of solar panels, each with a power output of 440 W. The total power output of the panels is 5280 W. The energy is stored in a 120 kWh lithium-ion battery. Proelectric specifies the system's outgoing power as 45 kVA. The company does not disclose the active power in watts, i.e., excluding reactive power.
Still can't do without diesel generators
However, ProCharge BESS cannot completely replace the diesel generators used on construction sites. The power output is likely too low for that. ProCharge BESS are therefore used with diesel generators. No changes to the technical infrastructure on a construction site are necessary for this. The diesel generators are only supposed to start when the solar-powered BESS cannot supply power—for example, when the battery is largely empty and the battery system cannot be recharged quickly enough. However, Proelectric promises that the runtime of the diesel generators will be significantly reduced in daily use.
Savings in diesel and thus a reduction in CO₂ emissions are expected to be up to 75 percent without compromising supply security, Proelectric writes on its website. This also affects operating costs. In a pilot project with the construction company Kier on the A417 in Great Britain, the system was already used—albeit in a smaller version with only eight solar panels. Over a period of five months, savings in diesel amounting to 32,500 British pounds were achieved. Proelectric calculates that around 69,000 pounds can be saved per year on similar construction sites.
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Proelectric does not disclose the purchase price for ProCharge. However, it is likely to be significantly higher than that of a comparable diesel generator. It remains unclear when the costs will actually pay off for road construction companies.
(olb)
