Moment Energy Secures US$15 Million Series A Funding To Build World’s First Second-Life Gigafactory in the U.S
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on Cision.
This is the sub-heading.
Funding co-led by Amazon Climate Pledge Fund and Voyager Ventures to accelerate production of high-performing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) from repurposed EV batteries
Series A brings Moment Energy’s financing in the last three months alone to over US$40 Million with US$52 million raised to date
This introductory paragraph gives more details.
Moment Energy’s battery energy storage systems (BESS) can be deployed in projects ranging from 400 kilowatt hours (kWh) to 10 megawatt hours (MWh), targeting an intermediate market segment that is currently underserved but crucial to the clean energy transition. Designed to serve commercial and industrial sectors, EV charging infrastructure, and renewable energy integration, the company is strategically positioned to capitalize on the convergence of rising EVs and renewable energy sources.
Sounds like a sensible way of handling old lithium-ion batteries.
Moment Energy has a web site.
Are we getting a second-life gigafactory in the UK?
We probably will need one.
As Moment Energy is Canadian, they might supply it.
Spotlight On The IVECO E-WAY H2: Less Weight, 15% More Passenger Capacity
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Sustainable Bus.
This is the sub-heading.
Up to seven time less batteries than a BEV bus (one module instead of 7), with 15% more passengers. These are the specifications mostly stressed by IVECO BUS when outlining the features of IVECO BUS E-WAY H2, presented at Busworld 2023 in Brussels. The bus model derives directly from the E-WAY BEV bus model
Note.
- The hydrogen fuel cell technology is from Hyundai.
- The bus is designed to be lighter in weight, which increases passenger capacity from 93 to 111 and gives an enhanced range.
- The driveline is from Accelera by Cummins, with a Siemens electric motor.
- IVECO provide the front axle and ZF the rear.
- Surprisingly, the bus is assembled from stainless steel panels, onto a steel floor.
It strikes me, that if the late great Colin Chapman had designed a bus, it would follow some of IVECO’s design.
Conclusion
This bus could set the standard for hydrogen-powered buses.
I particularly liked the saving in lithium compared to an electric bus.
The Crews Bracing Themselves For A Rise In Electric Car Fires
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
Each year, Essex Fire and Rescue Service focuses on one area of “top-up” training for its crews. In recent years, this has included sessions on firefighting at height and managing hazardous materials. This year, a new course is being introduced: How to deal with electric vehicle fires. Why?
These are the first three paragraphs.
Station manager Terry Maher has recently taken on a new role within the fire service.
A hazardous material expert, he is now the service’s lead officer on tackling lithium-ion battery fires.
His new responsibility comes as the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on UK roads hits more than 540,000. And the number is rising fast.
The article certainly worried me.
Most of the views expressed are by a fire officer, who is also a hazard materials expert.
It should be remembered that I have had serious fire training both as a Scout with the London Fire Brigade and a few years later at both Enfield Rolling Mills and at ICI.
These are a few points from the article.
- Dealing with a petrol or diesel car fire would normally take about 30 minutes. With an EV fire we’re looking at four or five hours or longer, if we’ve used water.
- As more and more people use electric vehicles we can expect more and more electric vehicle fires.
- The results of text searches show there were 59 electric vehicle fire references in 2022-23 across England – up from 30 the previous year.
We are dealing with dangerous vehicles and must handle with care.
These are my thoughts.
Car Insurance Rates For Electric Vehicles Will Rise
The worse the risk, the more you will have to pay.
A Full Safety Assessment Should Be Done Before Buying An Electric Vehicle
For instance, I have an integral garage in my house and wouldn’t feel safe at night, if an electric car or bicycle was in there on charge.
I certainly wouldn’t buy an electric car with a plastic body. Although I did own a Lotus Elan for over twenty years.
Conclusion
Everybody, who is thinking of buying an electric car or bicycle, should read the BBC article first.
InterGen’s Two Huge Batteries
InterGen are developing two huge lithium-ion batteries, which seem to be rather under the radar of the mainstream media.
InterGen are an energy company, of which few people have heard.
On the About InterGen page, this is the sub-heading of a section describing their business.
InterGen is a uniquely independent energy company. We support the journey to a stable, dependable, net zero energy system through delivering the flexible electricity solutions that underpin it.
These four paragraphs introduce the business.
Founded in 1995, we have decades of experience in the GB market.
Our power stations provide secure, flexible energy to consumers, and help the grid to take on more and more renewables.
Our expert trading team in Edinburgh sells electricity and services to help utilities, system operators and the wider energy market deliver secure power to homes and businesses across the country, whilst our pipeline of new developments includes some of the world’s largest battery storage assets, an essential component in the future energy system.
The world is changing, and we’re proud to be playing an active role in the unfolding energy story for generations to come.
Batteries are very much for generations to come.
These four paragraphs on this page says this about their batteries.
Developing a large-scale energy storage capability will help to resolve the challenge of the intermittency of renewable generation. At InterGen, we’re managing the delivery of one of Europe’s largest battery storage portfolios, with over 2GW of grid scale projects, having dedicated grid connections and proceeding through the permitting process.
The share of wind and solar power is increasing in the UK’s energy mix, but these sources only generate power when the wind blows or the sun shines. The use of batteries to store the excess power generated can help provide low carbon power to balance supply and demand with renewable power during periods of low output.
InterGen’s UK battery projects are world-leading in this kind of technology deployment. The facilities will use proven lithium-ion technology which has zero emissions, has superior flexibility, and will complement the increasing amounts of renewable energy generation in the UK.
In Essex, our project at London Gateway Port to create up to 900MWh of energy received planning permission in January 2023, and when complete will be large enough to provide power for up to 450,000 homes. At Spalding, we have consent to develop up to 1.1GWh of storage capability, adjacent to our existing operational CCGT and OCGT plants. Both of these developments are world-class in terms of size. It’s all part of our goal to support the transition to low carbon generation through the provision of flexible capacity.
Gateway Energy Centre
This page describes the Gateway Energy Centre, where this is said.
InterGen is in late stage development of a world leading battery storage project in the London Gateway Logistics Park, next to the DP World London Gateway Port on the north bank of the River Thames in Essex. InterGen built and continues to operate the existing 800 MW Coryton gas-fired combined cycle power station which is located approximately one kilometre from the proposed Gateway Energy Centre site.
The Gateway project will consist of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a rated electrical output of up to 900MWh (up to 450MW).
InterGen received Town and Country Planning Permission in January 2023, making the Gateway project the largest battery in the UK once operational. The £300m project will provide power for over 450,000 homes once fully complete.
Note.
- I assume they mean this battery is a 450 MW/900 MWh battery, that will provide 450 MW for two hours.
- It is close to the 732 MW Coryton gas-fired combined cycle power station.
I would assume that one of its tasks will be to make sure the London Gateway complex gets rnough reliable power.
Spalding Energy Park
This page describes the Spalding Energy Park, where this is said.
The Spalding Energy Park, adjacent to InterGen’s existing combined and open cycle gas plants at Spalding, has received Town and Country Planning Permission in June 2023 for one of Europe’s largest battery storage projects. The battery development could deliver up to 1,100MWh of electricity once operational, providing power for up to 500,000 homes.
Spalding Energy Park received planning consent in January 2018 from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The project is carbon capture ready.
As at Gateway Energy Centre, the battery is located close to a large 860 MW gas-fired power station.
Co-location of a gas-fired power station and a battery must make the grid connection simpler.
Conclusion
A total of 2 GWh of storage is a good start and I’ll suspect we’ll hear more about these two batteries in the next couple of years.
Plus Power Raises USD 1.8bn For Energy Storage In Texas, Arizona
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Renewables Now.
These two paragraphs outline the story.
Houston-based battery systems developer Plus Power LLC unveiled on Tuesday the completion of USD 1.8 billion (EUR 1.7bn) in new financing for the construction and operation of five standalone energy storage projects in Texas and Arizona.
The financing commitments, arranged in the form of construction and term financings, letters of credit, and tax equity investments, are dedicated to five projects with a combined capacity of 1,040 MW/2,760 MWh.
Note.
- This financing indicates how those banks and financial institutions with masses of money are prepared to put that money into energy storage.
- It is also good to see, that the journalist who wrote the story has given both the output of these batteries and their storage capacity.
- I can see many deals like this being done in the next few years.
But when will we see a financing deal like this for some of the other methods of storage that are being developed?
RWE To Start Building Battery Storage That Will Support Dutch Offshore Wind Farm
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
RWE has finalised its investment decision for a battery storage project in the Netherlands that will optimise the OranjeWind offshore wind farm’s integration into the Dutch energy system. The company plans to invest approximately EUR 24 million into the project.
This paragraph outlines the system.
The system, which will have an installed power capacity of 35 MW and a storage capacity of 41 MWh, will consist of a total of 110 lithium-ion battery racks that will be installed at RWE’s biomass plant in Eemshaven and will be virtually coupled with RWE’s power plants in the Netherlands.
There is also an explanatory infographic.
Note.
I visited Eemshaven in The Train Station At The Northern End Of The Netherlands.
- The wind farm has a capacity of 760 MW.
- Solar panels will float between the wind turbines.
- Surplus energy will be turned into hydrogen.
The OranjeWind wind farm has a web site, with a video that explains RWE’s philosophy.
The web site has a section, which is entitled Innovations At OranjeWind, where this is said.
In order to realise system integration and accelerate the energy transition, RWE is working together with a number of innovators on new developments in offshore wind farms. The company is realising and testing these innovations in the OranjeWind wind farm.
These innovations include offshore floating solar, a subsea lithium-ion battery, LiDAR power forecasting system and a subsea hydro storage power plant off-site.
Three innovations are discussed in a bit more detail, with links to more information.
- Subsea pumped hydro storage power plant – Ocean Grazer – More…
- Floating solar – SolarDuck – More…
- Intelligent Subsea Energy Storage – Verlume – More…
Big companies should always support innovation.
Carlton Power Secures Planning Consent For World’s Largest Battery Energy Storage Scheme
The title of this post, is the same as that of this news story from Carlton Power.
This is the sub-heading.
£750m 1GW Battery Project To Be Built At Carlton Power’s Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park In Greater Manchester
These three paragraphs outline the project.
Carlton Power, the UK independent energy infrastructure development company, has secured planning permission for the world’s largest battery energy storage scheme (BESS), a 1GW (1040MW / 2080MWh) project located at the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park in Greater Manchester. The £750m BESS scheme will strengthen the security and resilience of the energy system in the North West of England, and support the energy transition and the growth of renewable power generation in the region.
Planning permission for the BESS was granted by Trafford Council, the local planning authority.
Subject to a final investment decision, construction of the battery storage scheme is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year (2024) with it entering commercial operation in the final quarter of 2025. Carlton Power is in advanced talks with companies to finance, build and operate the Trafford BESS.
I have a few thoughts.
It’s A Monster
This Wikipedia entry, lists the World’s Largest Grid Batteries.
- The current largest is Vistra Moss Landing battery in the United States, which has a capacity of 1600 MWh and an output of 400 MW.
- The Trafford BESS will have a capacity of 2080 MWh and an output of 1040 MW.
By both measures the Trafford BESS is larger.
Where Will It Get The Energy?
Consider.
- In Liverpool and Morecambe Bays there is over 5 GW of offshore wind farms either operational, under construction or planned.
- Carrington gas-fired power station has a capacity of 884 MW.
- The Western HVDC Link is a 2250 MW link between Scotland and Connah’s Quay in North Wales.
- I wrote about the proposed Mersey Barrage in Mersey Tidal Project And Where It Is Up To Now.
I can see enough renewable energy being generated to replace Carrington gas-fired power station.
Who Will Finance, Build And Operate The Trafford BESS?
There are two major Energy Storage Funds in the UK.
- Gore Street with 27 projects totalling 1.17 GW.
- Gresham House with 17 projects totalling 425 MW.
Note.
- There are other smaller funds.
- The figures given are cumulative outputs for the portfolios.
- Sourcing the large number of batteries might be a problem.
- As the maths of these batteries are now well-known, I would expect that finance shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
- Local companies like Liverpool Victoria or Peel Holdings could even take a position.
A large American contractor backed by US money could swallow the whole project.
That happened with North Sea oil and gas in the last century.
Is Highview Power’s CRYOBattery Still Planned?
Carlton Power’s news story says this about Highview Power’s plans.
In addition to Carlton Power’s two projects, Highview Power Storage Inc. is planning to build and operate the world’s first commercial liquid air storage system – a £250m 250MWh long duration, cryogenic energy storage system – on the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park, which was until 1991 the site of the Carrington coal-fired power station. The Low Carbon Energy Park is located close to Manchester Ship Canal and the £750m Carrington flexible gas-fired power station which entered operation in 2016.
It seems that the CRYOBattery is still planned.
Conclusion
Manchester is getting a powerful zero-carbon hub.
Tesla Megapack Battery Caught Fire At PG & E Substation In California
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on CNBC, which was published in September 2022.
The article starts with these three key points.
- A Tesla Megapack caught fire at a PG&E energy storage facility in Monterey, California on Tuesday.
- The fire caused road closures and shelter-in-place orders for residents nearby.
- Richard Stedman, an air pollution control officer for the Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) said in general lithium ion battery fires can emit toxic constituents like hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid.
The article goes on to say, that there were no power outages and no on-site personnel were injured.
In the late 1960s, I worked for ICI at Runcorn.
One of the instruments, I helped to develop was a detector for water in bromochlorodifluoromethane or BCF, as it is commonly known.
- You may have seen BCF on a fire-extinguisher, as that is the chemical’s main use.
- In those days, ICI made BCF on a plant that also manufactured the anaesthetic; Fluothane.
- The plant was in Rocksavage works by the Mersey.
It should be noted, that Rocksavage works had one of the best safety records in the whole of the company.
When the instrument was ready, I was told to go to the plant and see Charlie Akers, who was the foreman electrician on the plant. He would arrange fitting the instrument to the plant.
- Charlie was a short stout man and the first thing he did was to get a proper mug out of a box of perhaps two dozen new ones and write my name on it.
- He then made us both mugs of fresh tea with fresh milk from a bottle.
- He said something like. “Now you’ve got no excuse to come and see me before you go on the plant or have any questions!”
- He also said that everybody, who worked in Rocksavage was very proud of its safety record and proceeded to give me a tour of the plant pointing out its hazards.
One lesson, I learned that day and still do was to walk up stairs in a hazardous environment using the stanchions of the rails. You never know what has fallen on the handrails. On the BCF plant this could have been hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid.
- At one point to illustrate the danger of the latter, he took a pair of tweezers and put a spec of hydrofluoric acid (HF) dust on the tip of my finger, which was painful.
- He also said that HBr was a lot more dangerous.
I didn’t disgrace myself on that plant and the lessons, I learned that day have stayed with me all my life. I even think, that they have had positive effects on my stroke recovery, as I was given tips about how to get out of a chemical plant, after a fire or serious spillage.
Thank you Charlie!
One of the key points in the CNBC article, is that lithium-ion battery fires can emit hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid.
It makes me wonder, if our high levels of usage of these batteries for where there is an alternative is a good idea.
Gore Street Energy Storage Fund’s Portfolio Increases To Over 1GW
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the Solar Power Portal.
By any measure a GW is a substantial amount of power and the article gives all the figures for the fund.
One thing, I feel, I can say, is that large grid-connected lithium-ion batteries, as deployed by Gore Street, are more reliable than the similar smaller batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters.
The media and especially the financial pages would have had a field day, if a lithium-ion battery caught fire. Certainly Gore Street and others building large batteries, don’t seem to have any planning permission problems from Nimbys.
Exploring London Bus Route 132
London Bus Route 132, is run by battery-electric buses and it the first in London to use opportunity charging.
These pictures show the route from North Greenwich to Bexleyheath Shopping Centre.
Note.
- These pictures were shot in two sections on the 3rd and the 6th of July 2023.
- The break was at Eltham station.
- Some sections of the route had a lot of cars.
- Some side roads were full of parked cars.
- There were large numbers of cars parked in front of houses.
There are my thoughts.
More will appear here over the next couple of days.
The Buses
The buses used on the route are Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV, which are built on a BYD Auto chassis.
They have a range of 160 miles.
The Route
The route has several inclines both ways and I estimate it is just under ten miles.
At North Woolwich, the bus didn’t appear to have a charge, but I can’t be sure.
But it disappear at Bexleyheath Shopping Centre and I was certain it went for a charge.
So is the operational philosophy to fill, the bus up overnight and then top the battery up every time, that it needs it at Bexleyheath.
A Comparison With A Similar Route In Birmingham That Has Hydrogen-Powered Buses
As the bus ran between North Woolwich and Bexleyheath Shopping Centre, I was comparing it, with the trip, I made across Birmingham, in hydrogen-powered buses, that I wrote about in Riding Birmingham’s New Hydrogen-Powered Buses.
Both were quality buses, but I felt the hydrogen bus had more power.
Opportunity Charging At Bexleyheath
If, buses need to be charged at the Bexleyheath Shopping Centre end of the route, where will they go?
This Google Map shows Bexleyheath Bus Garage in relation to the Shopping Centre.
Note.
- Bexleyheath Bus Garage is in the North-East corner of the map.
- It looks like it shares a site with Bexley Fire Station and Barnehurst Ambulance station.
- So the garage is well located for any future lithium-ion battery fires.
- In the middle of the map at the bottom, is Bexleyheath Clock Tower, in the middle of the town centre.
- I estimate it’s less than two kilometres between Bexleyheath Bus Garage and the Shopping Centre.
This Google Map shows a close-up of the Western side of the Bexleyheath Bus Garage.
Note.
- The two buses parked by the side of the garage.
- Behind them a white arm reaches over towards the road.
- This is the charger and buses connect using a pantograph on the roof.
It could be an All-In-One Fast Charging Station AIO from Furrer+Frey.
The Electrical Connection At Bexleyheath Bus Garage
Consider.
- The bus garage shares a site with a fire station and an ambulance station, which surely must need a reliable power source.
- This is London’s first application of opportunity charging.
- There are improvements constantly happening to London’s struggling power network.
- It is a large site and I suspect there is space for a battery to boost power.
I would assume that Transport for London wouldn’t have chosen a bus garage with a dodgy power supply.
Could The Charger Be Solar-Powered?
This Google Map shows the roof of Bexleyheath Bus Garage.
Note.
- It appears to be a square with a length of about six buses.
- It looks rather dirty.
I suspect that the roof could be replaced with a modern solar roof.
Hydrogen Or Electric
This article on RouteOne is entitled Enviro400FCEV Hydrogen Bus Fleet For Liverpool Debuts.
This paragraph describes the performance.
Alexander Dennis has chosen the heavy-duty variant of VEDS. It is designed to deliver up to 410kW of power, but the vehicle OEM says that in the Enviro400FCEV, output is limited to 350kW. Such an approach will maximise fuel economy while still enabling a high road speed and good hill climbing ability. Expected range is up to 300 miles.
So the range on hydrogen is nearly doubled.
Wrightbus’s outwardly similar electric and hydrogen buses have ranges of 200 and 280 miles, but filling times of 2.5 hours and 8 minutes.
The problem with hydrogen in London, is that the Mayor and Transport for London, don’t appear to have a hydrogen policy.
But I think, that hydrogen will win out in cities and areas, where hydrogen can be supplied.
I also believe that hydrogen has other advantages.
- There is likely to be significant progress in improving hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles.
- Hydrogen internal combustion engines are coming and could promise more affordable hydrogen buses.
- Better and more affordable methods to create green hydrogen are being developed.
- Some existing diesel buses will be able to be converted to buses powered by hydrogen internal combustion engines.
- Lithium-ion batteries have a high environmental footprint.
Hydrogen is also likely to be the fuel of choice for heavy trucks.
The Anonymous Widower 