Battery Energy Storage System

Volvo Penta is carving out a space in the battery energy storage systems sector as a battery supplier of purpose-built subsystems that prioritize energy density and able to adapt to various BESS requirements. With it’s ready-to-deliver subsystems, Volvo Penta is ready to support companies in developing resilient and tailored solutions, thus potentially playing a part in different energy transition strategies.

Volvo Penta’s purpose-built solutions complement standard approaches, offering unique strengths that cater to varying BESS scenarios where energy density is a priority (in segments like construction, ports and data centers). With comprehensive lifecycle support, Volvo Penta aims to ensure seamless integration and operational reliability through tailored application guidance, service agreements, and other solutions such as remote monitoring and recycling programs. The company works alongside OEMs to deliver tailored battery solutions that meet the customer’s energy demands with that address space limitations, transportability, and energy density.

What’s in Volvo Penta’s BESS subsystem?

A key part of being a system supplier, Volvo Penta lends extensive application support help customers right-fit their BESS subsystem for efficient energy storage in stationary and mobile applications. It features an energy-dense battery pack with a favorable C-rate to support fast charging and discharging, along with a robust battery management system (BMS) that is aimed at optimizing performance, battery longevity and even cybersecurity.

Key components in the subsystem include a DC/DC converter for auxiliary power, a telematics gateway for real-time monitoring, and a thermal management system to maintain optimal battery performance in various environments. Electrical safety is ensured through high-voltage isolation monitoring and other protective features.

The CAN and DC interfaces, adapted from the Volvo Group’s platforms, ensure reliable data transfer and system optimization. Volvo Penta’s subsystem handles the DC portion of the BESS, while the OEM is responsible for the container shell, AC componentry and set up, ensuring the system is tailored for the intended applications.

Volvo Penta’s BESS subsystem is also designed to withstand tough environments, offering robust protection against dust and corrosion for reliable performance in challenging conditions. With ingress protection (IP) ratings and corrosion-resistant materials, it is built for durability and dependability in tough environments.

Tailored to different customers for various energy needs

Volvo Penta custom-built systems are designed to meet diverse energy needs, whether for peak shaving, or to support a microgrid, or to ensure uninterrupted power. Here are some instances Volvo Penta’s energy dense subsystem can have an impact.

Microgrids:

As industries like ports and quarries experience growing energy demands that surpass grid capacity or where there is limited grid connectivity, Volvo Penta’s energy-dense BESS offers a powerful opportunity. These Volvo Penta powered BESS can integrate with renewables or other power generation assets, to provide more stable and reliable energy essential for large-scale or remote operations transitioning to electrification.

BESS solutions equipped with Volvo Penta’s energy-dense subsystem can be a fit for mobile applications and suited for no-emissions zones or remote locations where electric machinery require charging. The BESS can be transported to the site to power operations from large festivals to disaster relief, and once discharged, it can be relocated to an on-grid area for recharging—all while ensuring uninterrupted activity at the site.

BEV Charging Support:

Volvo Penta’s Battery Energy Storage Subsystem (BESS) is expertly designed to support grid stability in demanding applications such as construction and port operations, where capacity and frequency challenges often arise during electrification. With its robust IP classification, the system delivers reliable performance even in the harsh and challenging conditions typical of these industries.

Data Centers:

Critical for ensuring uninterrupted operations, the subsystem’s robust Battery Management System (BMS) and rapid discharge capabilities deliver performance tailored to data centers. Their compact size allows for efficient integration into facilities where space is a premium, including industrial hubs.

Backup Power:

Designed to provide instant, dependable backup power, Volvo Penta’s subsystems are ideal for the public sector (military or hospitals), residential and logistics (cold storage) where continuous operation is non-negotiable, even during grid outages.

Commercial Buildings:

Perfect for urban settings or high-demand industrial sectors like manufacturing and population dense residential areas, the compact, energy-dense design supports peak shaving, load balancing, and can help to reduce energy costs in these spaces.

Production-Ready:

Volvo Penta’s BESS subsystems have entered the industrialization phase after extensive testing and prototyping with some customers, marking a milestone in readiness to receive customer orders. With production capabilities established, Volvo Penta is ready to engage with manufacturers, system integrators, and customers to co-develop solutions that address their high energy requirements.

As industries move toward greater electrification and sustainability, Volvo Penta leverages its global footprint and end-to-end lifecycle support to deliver high-performance, customizable, and resilient subsystems. Through its OEM and distribution networks, the company provides application expertise, service contracts, recycling solutions, and remote monitoring to help customers optimize energy usage and achieve sustainable, efficient operations.

Ref: Melissa Zhuo (2024) melissa.zhuo@volvo.com

3-battery pack configuration

• Energy: 270 KWH
• Nominal charge*: 138KW
• Nominal discharge*: 273 KW

5 ft container (6-battery pack configuration)

• Energy: 540 KWH
• Nominal charge*: 276 KW
• Nominal discharge*: 546 KW

10 ft container (12-battery pack configuration)

• Energy: 1080 KWH
• Nominal charge*: 552 KW
• Nominal discharge*: 1092 KW

Hybrid set up (5 ft BESS & D8 genset)

Supporting Genset (Prime power from D8 set up)

• Up to 250 kVA (or 225 kW with a pf of 0.9)
• Prime 50 hz Electrical Power

BESS hybrid’s use potentials

• BESS-only (BESS handles initial load requirements as Genset starts)
• Charge BESS with Genset
• Used in combination to achieve a higher performance during peak loads

Volvo Penta announced a follow-on investment in UtilityInnovation Group (UIG), a USA and Ireland based company specializing in resilient, innovative utility systems and decentralized energy solutions. This strategic investment marks a continued commitment to driving the energy transition. It also underlines Volvo Penta’s role in the growing global market for energy infrastructure as an independent supplier of energy-dense battery energy storage (BESS) subsystems.

Building upon the partnership established with Volvo Penta’s initial investment in 2023, UtilityInnovation Group (UIG) will scale its expertise to meet the accelerating demand for more dynamic, sustainable electric grid infrastructure. “This follow-on investment in UtilityInnovation Group reflects our commitment to advancing reliable and efficient electrified power solutions as part of our broader net-zero ambitions,” said Anna Müller, President of Volvo Penta.

The exponential demand for data center power and the complexity of grid evolution can be met by UIG’s skillset and ability to integrate Volvo Penta’s energy-dense and robust BESS subsystems. Supported by Volvo Penta, UIG aims to:

• Expand the reach of resilient energy solutions: By combining Volvo Group’s technology and global footprint with UIG’s deep integration expertise, the continued partnership will enable the delivery of larger innovative energy developments for a range of global customers, including utilities, data centers, and large energy users.
• Drive the adoption of advanced Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS): The investment will support the development and commercialization of UIG’s cutting-edge Energy Storage for Resiliency (ESR) platform. ESR is intended to enhance power stability, alleviate the load challenges of energy-intense artificial intelligence or machine learning data centers, and optimize large microgrids.
• Deploy the GridSure advantage: UIG’s integrated controls and asset management platform, GridSure, leverages data-driven insights and cyber-secure AnywhereEngineering tools to manage grid capacity, improve overall system resilience, and monitor infrastructure.

“The investment in UtilityInnovation Group highlights the potential we see in our BESS subsystems for high energy demand sectors,” said Hannes Norrgren, President of Volvo Penta’s Industrial Business. “Entrepreneurial customers like them bring specialized expertise that enhances our capabilities to meet future demands and accelerate time-to-market with pioneering solutions.”

Sidney Hinton, Founder and CEO of UIG, added, “We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Volvo Penta. Their global reach and commitment to sustainability make them an ideal partner as we work to address the critical challenges facing the energy sector today.”

The investment in UtilityInnovation Group further strengthens Volvo Penta’s role in supporting the global energy transition and reflects the company’s dedication to developing solutions that contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Ref: Melissa Zhuo (2024) melissa.zhuo@volvo.com