East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc. and its subsidiary Ecoult have announced the launch of a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) smart grid storage demonstration project.
The project is powered by East Penn's Deka UltraBattery technology and will provide 3 MW of continuous frequency-regulation services to PJM Interconnection. The new system will also be used for peak demand management services by the local utility, Met-Ed.
The Deka UltraBattery uses lead-acid technology that operates in continuous partial state of charge use. It enables an optimal balance of an energy-storing lead-acid battery with the quick charge acceptance, power discharge and longevity of a capacitor, according to the company.
The PJM demonstration project has been implemented in both a building and a containerized format to demonstrate the modularity and mobility of the storage solutions, according to the company. It connects to the grid from inside the East Penn Manufacturing site in Lyon Station, Pa.
Ecoult engineered and implemented the energy-storage system, and developed the platform for the UltraBattery energy resource that controls both the batteries and the power conversion system. The DOE supported the project with $2.2 million of funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
"As well as contributing to grid stability via regulation services, UltraBattery technology is also being implemented at wind and solar generation sites to control ramp rate of renewable output directly, facilitating the integration of renewable energy into the grid," says John Wood, CEO of Ecoult.
