PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, January 7, 2014 – Aquion Energy, Inc., developer and manufacturer of Aqueous Hybrid Ion (AHI™) batteries and energy storage systems, today announced that it has signed an agreement to supply a 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery system as part of an off-grid solar microgrid at Bakken Hale on the Island of Hawaii. Bakken Hale, a private residential estate, is located along the environmentally sensitive Kona Coast. The Aquion battery system will store energy generated from a large on-site solar installation and will enable Bakken Hale to operate entirely from self-generated solar power.
The off-grid microgrid system will be designed and installed by Renewable Energy Services, Inc. (RES), an experienced solar system installer in Hawaii. The microgrid uses a 176 kW solar array, a 1 MWh Aquion AHI battery system, and a propane-fueled generator used solely for emergency backup. The system is designed to generate 350 MWh per year silently from the sun, with little maintenance for 20 years. Over that time, the system will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 5,000 metric tons. The batteries will charge from the solar array during daylight hours, and discharge to provide nighttime power on a daily 8-hour charge/16-hour discharge cycle. Aquion battery systems are well suited for this type of long-duration, daily cycling charge/discharge profile.
Earl Bakken, founder of Medtronic, Inc. and owner of Bakken Hale stated, “I want to demonstrate that using a solar and battery-powered microgrid is our best solution now. This installation will enable us to meet our around-the-clock power needs with solar generation and will reduce our fossil fuel usage by 97 percent. We were drawn to Aquion’s battery products because they are non-toxic, environmentally friendly and long-lasting.”
“This solar microgrid is a great example of a clean, sustainable energy system that aligns with the needs of a pristine and environmentally sensitive site,” said Peter Shackelford, Chief Executive Officer of RES. “Solar power coupled with AHI battery storage is an excellent solution for the Hawaiian market, from both a cost and sustainability standpoint.”
Scott Pearson, Chief Executive Officer of Aquion commented, “The Bakken Hale project is the first of several very large microgrid projects we plan to supply using our M-Line Battery Modules. We look forward to working with RES to install this system and showcase our capabilities to the Hawaiian market.”
Designed for the demanding requirements of both small and large-scale stationary energy storage applications, Aquion’s patented AHI battery systems offer high-performance, low-cost, operational safety, ease of integration and environmental sustainability. Aquion’s current manufacturing line is capable of producing energy storage capacity of more than 200 MWh per year. Its 350,000 square-foot production facility located near Pittsburgh, PA will ultimately produce energy storage capacity of up to 1,000 MWh per year, enabling Aquion to meet rapidly growing market demand.
Renewable Energy Services, Inc. has been designing and operating battery-based Photovoltaic power systems on the Island of Hawaii for over 20 years. RES is dedicated to providing advanced, attractive solar power solutions to our community. For more information, please visit http://www.renewablenergy.com.
Aquion Energy is the manufacturer of proprietary Aqueous Hybrid Ion (AHI™) batteries and battery systems for long duration stationary energy storage applications. AHI batteries are optimized for daily deep cycling for off-grid and microgrids, energy management, and grid-scale applications. Aquion’s high-performance, safe, sustainable and cost-effective batteries deliver industry-leading value for customers. Aquion’s battery systems provide flexible, modular energy storage that enables broad adoption of renewable energy technologies such as wind and solar, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and optimization of existing grid-tied generation assets.