A new energy buffer system for charging stations utilizing used (second-life) electric vehicle batteries has been developed by the UK-based company Future Transport Systems, according to recent reports.
With the use of the new system — the FTS E-STOR concept — higher capacity EV fast-charging from a 3 kilowatt (kW) electrical connection is possible than would otherwise be the case. The system works by absorbing excess generating capacity, and thereby can reduce stress on local distribution networks — potentially aiding in smart grid systems.
The system is modular in design, and can be easily expanded. The initial launch will see two products on offer, the E-STOR 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and E-STOR 100 (kWh).
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The second life EV batteries used for these products make the E-STOR platform cost-effective. While the system is designed to be battery agnostic, the high capacity lithium-ion units currently being used are derived from Renault EVs, representing an attractive reuse opportunity between on-road use and eventual end of life recycling.
In June 2015, the E-STOR product was named winner of the innovation category in the British Renewable Energy Awards 2015, hosted by the Renewable Energy Association at The Savoy, London. E-STOR is being commercialized and will be marketed as a CE marked product, through a new wholly-owned FTS company, Connected Energy. Ricardo’s support for FTS included the implementation of interface and communication stacks to facilitate FTS application software. This included developing and testing the various commutation protocols to link the multiple energy storage systems and power electronics on the E-STOR architecture. Ricardo developed the TCP/Modbus, CAN, RS 485 and Ethernet communications and selected the appropriate control system hardware to implement the E-STOR application software.
With the dearth of such offerings on the market currently, I wonder if Future Transport Systems will be able to get itself into a strong position for future growth. As the EV sector blows up over the next decade, companies that are able to do so will likely reap substantial benefits.
Image Credit: Nissan (Leaf battery)