Power Grid

The global shift toward renewable energy has accelerated, with utilities, grid operators, and developers working tirelessly to integrate more solar, wind, and other clean energy sources into the power grid. As the energy landscape evolves, the role of energy storage has become increasingly vital for maintaining grid stability, ensuring energy reliability, and meeting the growing demand for renewable energy integration. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are essential for balancing energy supply and demand, smoothing out the intermittency of renewable generation, and providing backup power during outages or grid instability.

Alsym Green offers an innovative, high-performance BESS solution that addresses the unique challenges faced by renewable energy project developers, utilities, and grid operators. With its focus on safety, cost-effectiveness, and resilience in the face of climate change, Alsym Green provides a robust alternative to traditional lithium-ion battery systems. The system’s non-flammable design, low leveled cost of storage (LCOS), and ability to operate in harsh environments make it ideal for deployment across a wide range of grid-scale and micro-grid applications.

WHAT IS UNIQUE VALUE PROP FOR MICRO-GRID / SPEAK TO MORE

Enhanced safety

One of the most critical factors for energy storage systems deployed in urban or high-population-density areas is safety. Traditional lithium-ion batteries, while widely used in energy storage, carry a significant risk of thermal runaway—a condition where overheating can lead to fires or even explosions. In densely populated regions, this fire risk becomes particularly concerning, as it can endanger lives and critical infrastructure, lead to costly damages, and disrupt local communities.

Alsym Green provides a safer alternative with its non-flammable chemistry. Unlike lithium-ion systems, Alsym Green is designed to eliminate the risk of thermal runaway, even in cases of mechanical damage or exposure to high temperatures. This makes it ideal for installation in urban areas, near residential neighborhoods, or close to critical infrastructure like hospitals, schools, and commercial hubs, where fire safety is paramount.

For utilities and grid operators, deploying Alsym Green makes it easier to gain approval from regulatory bodies, as the reduced fire risk simplifies the permitting process. Additionally, Alsym Green’s enhanced safety profile helps to minimize pushback from local citizens or community organizations concerned about the environmental and safety impacts of large-scale energy storage installations in their neighborhoods. Alsym Green can even help lower insurance costs.

Economic benefits

Renewable energy project developers and utilities are constantly seeking ways to reduce costs, especially as they scale up the deployment of renewable energy sources. In an industry where cost efficiency is crucial, the leveled cost of storage (LCOS) is a key factor in evaluating the financial viability of energy storage systems. LCOS measures the total cost of installing and operating a storage system over its lifetime, divided by the amount of energy stored.

Alsym Green delivers lower LCOS than other non-lithium technologies and is competitive with lithium-ion thanks to its high energy density, low cell costs, high RTE, and low self-discharge. Alsym Green’s wide discharge range (from 2 to 110 hours) and fast recharge times (as little as 4 hours) enhance operational efficiency. These features allow grid operators and renewable energy developers to optimize the use of stored energy, reducing the frequency of energy purchases from the grid during peak periods. Furthermore, Alsym Green’s low maintenance requirements and high reliability contribute to lower operational expenses, making it an economically attractive option for grid-scale applications. By lowering the LCOS, Alsym Green helps renewable energy developers and utilities make their projects more financially sustainable, enabling broader adoption of clean energy technologies and accelerating the transition to a decarbonized grid.

With its use of domestically sourced materials and U.S.-based manufacturing, Alsym Green systems may qualify for tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) related to domestic content. This makes it an even more financially attractive option for utilities and developers looking to reduce project costs while supporting local supply chains and meeting government incentives for renewable energy storage.

Climate change resiliance

As the effects of climate change become more pronounced, energy infrastructure must be resilient enough to withstand increasingly severe weather events. From hurricanes and floods to heatwaves and wildfires, climate change poses significant challenges to power grids and energy storage systems. Traditional lithium-ion batteries are particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures and environmental hazards, as they require carefully controlled operating conditions to function effectively.

In areas prone to storms, floods, or wildfires, the non-flammable design of Alsym Green ensures that energy storage systems pose no fire or explosion risk in the event of a system failure or external damage. This critical safety feature means first responders can focus on rescue and recovery efforts rather than addressing hazardous battery fires or explosions. By eliminating the need for specialized fire suppression during emergencies, Alsym Green allows for safer and more efficient disaster response in high-risk areas. BE MORE EXPLICIT ABOUT THE DANGERS THAT LI-ION SYSTEMS POSE AND HOW THEY CONSUME FIRST RESPONDER RESOURCES. THEY MAKE A BAD SITUATION WORSE.

Alsym Green is designed with resilience in mind. Its wide operational temperature range allows it to perform reliably in a variety of climates, from scorching deserts to freezing winter environments. This makes it ideal for use in regions prone to extreme heat or cold, where conventional batteries might require significant heating or cooling that reduces system efficiency. Additionally, Alsym Green’s long-duration discharge capability enables it to provide extended backup power during prolonged outages caused by natural disasters, ensuring that critical infrastructure remains operational. The system’s ability to withstand harsh conditions makes it well-suited for micro-grid applications, particularly in remote or disaster-prone areas where grid reliability is a concern.

 

Use cases

  • Rate Arbitrage and Capacity Markets: Alsym Green offers significant advantages for utilities and grid operators engaged in rate arbitrage and capacity markets. By storing energy during periods of low demand, when electricity rates are lower, Alsym Green enables utilities to discharge stored energy during peak demand periods when prices are significantly higher. This helps maximize revenues from rate arbitrage while reducing overall grid strain. Additionally, in capacity markets, Alsym Green can provide energy storage to meet peak capacity requirements, offering utilities a reliable resource that helps them avoid costly investments in new generation infrastructure.
  • Frequency Regulation: Frequency regulation is essential for maintaining grid stability, particularly as renewable energy sources become a larger part of the power mix. Alsym Green provides rapid response capabilities that help balance supply and demand by absorbing or releasing energy to maintain the grid’s frequency within a narrow range. Unlike traditional fossil fuel generators, Alsym Green’s energy storage system can respond almost instantaneously to fluctuations, ensuring smoother operation and greater efficiency. This enhances grid reliability, especially in regions with high renewable energy penetration, while also generating revenue through participation in frequency regulation markets.
  • Island Mode Operation: In regions prone to grid instability or remote areas that are not connected to larger transmission networks, Alsym Green’s ability to operate in island mode provides a critical advantage. In island mode, Alsym Green can disconnect from the main grid and function as an independent energy resource for localized areas, such as microgrids. This is especially valuable in remote communities, industrial sites, or campuses that require uninterrupted power. By seamlessly transitioning into island mode, Alsym Green ensures continuous energy supply during grid disruptions or failures, improving energy security and resilience in isolated or vulnerable locations.
  • Storage as a Transmission Asset: As renewable energy generation increases and transmission networks face new demands, energy storage systems like Alsym Green can play a crucial role as transmission assets. By strategically placing energy storage systems in areas with constrained transmission capacity, Alsym Green helps alleviate grid congestion by storing energy during periods of low demand and transmitting it during high demand. This approach reduces the need for costly transmission infrastructure upgrades and improves grid efficiency, ensuring that renewable energy can be delivered to where it is most needed without the limitations of existing transmission networks.
  • Long-Term Outage Support: In regions prone to natural disasters or prolonged grid outages, Alsym Green provides long-term outage support, ensuring critical infrastructure remains operational during extended power disruptions. With discharge capabilities ranging from 2 to 110 hours, Alsym Green can sustain vital services, such as healthcare facilities, emergency response centers, and communication networks, during prolonged grid outages. The system’s ability to provide reliable backup power over long periods makes it an invaluable asset in disaster-prone areas, ensuring continuity of operations until the grid is restored or alternative power sources are deployed. This capability is especially critical as climate change leads to more frequent and severe weather events that threaten grid stability.