UPA installs 500 kWh containerized Li-ion system from BYD for grid storage
06 November 2012
BYD Ltd and Utility Partners of America (UPA) have put into service a 500 kWh containerized energy storage system (ESS) for one of the largest investor-owned utility companies in North America. The 40-foot unit is located in south Charlotte and has several BYD-vertically integrated components including a 200 kW bi-directional, UL-compliant BYD inverter with BYD’s 500 kWh Iron Phosphate battery.
Expected service life of the Iron-Phosphate batteries is more than 25 years. BYD mega-watt-scale energy storage stations are installed in several locations in the US and are rated at a 91% AC-DC-AC round-trip-efficiency but have shown actual performance at this site as high as 95.3%—a new benchmark for the ESS industry, according to BYD.
Highlights of the ESS include:
Rechargeable battery chemistry containing no heavy metals, no toxic electrolytes and manufactured with no caustic or harmful materials.
Superior service life: Can be cycled more than 6,000 times (100% DOD).
Fire safe Chemistry is non-explosive and fire-safe even in direct flames.
Wider temperature range: Operates from 0 °C to 60 °C .
AC-DC-AC efficiency shown to be as high as 94%, an industry benchmark high; DC to DC efficiency as high as 96%.
BYD has supplied more than 100 MWh in energy storage stations across China and the world.
Utility Partners of America (UPA) was formed in 1997 to fulfill the device installation and home warranty service needs of the utility industry. UPA is a full service utility contractor focused on the management of large scale Smart Grid, Demand Response and Alternative Energy implementation projects and Home Warranty service programs. UPA serves water, gas and electric utilities throughout the United States and Canada.
In spite of the Coda's pedestrian looks the battery pack in it is just way better than that in the Leaf, and can be confidently expected to last the life of the car with minimal degradation in capacity.
I find it impossible to do other than recommend a lease on the Leaf and its passively cooled manganese battery.
Posted by: Davemart | 06 November 2012 at 04:13 AM
With the Leaf being made in Tenn. next month, an 'economy' model, and a $199/month lease - some may find what they want.
Posted by: kelly | 06 November 2012 at 01:44 PM