Aquion Energy, a provider of Aqueous Hybrid Ion (AHI) batteries and energy storage systems, announced partnership with Siemens Industry to integrate technologies for developing microgrid and grid energy storage systems.
Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two companies, both parties agreed to test the integration of Aquion’s AHI batteries and Siemens’ Sinamics S120 drive technology.
As part of the MOU, Siemens purchased an initial set of Aquion batteries for immediate shipment to their manufacturing and test facility in Alpharetta, Ga.
Siemens’ Sinamics S120 inverter solution and Aquion’s AE12 Battery Module product are currently under high voltage test at Aquion’s R&D facility in Pittsburgh, and will undergo additional joint testing at Siemens’ Alpharetta facility.
Based on Aquion’s breakthrough AHI battery technology, the AE12 Battery Module is an 18 kilowatt hour system that provides high performance, long-duration daily cycling for microgrid and grid applications.
Aquion’s patented AHI battery systems are designed for the demanding requirements of both small and large-scale stationary energy storage applications. They offer high performance, low cost, operational safety and sustainability.
“We want to explore the Aqueous Hybrid Ion technology proposed by Aquion, validate its capabilities and potential for offering cost effective grid-scale deployments and energy efficient Microgrid and Renewables support functions,” said Razvan Panati, director of new technologies at Siemens Industry.
Aquion produces beta AHI battery systems at their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, with commercial production slated to begin in the first half of 2014.
Aquion’s initial manufacturing line is capable of producing over 200 megawatt hours per year when operating at full capacity, the company claims. The 350,000 square-foot facility is sized for five manufacturing lines, enabling Aquion to significantly scale production to match anticipated market demand.
Aquion’s battery systems provide flexible, emissions-free capacity that optimizes existing generation assets and enables broad adoption of renewable energy technologies such as wind and solar.