| New technologies & applications | Power plant products


Energy storage systems optimise high-power applications


Atlas Copco has introduced ZBC, the latest model in its lithium-ion energy storage system range, called ZenergiZe. It can be used as a standalone source, combined with generators to make a hybrid power solution or renewable sources of energy as well as to create Microgrids. The new ZenergiZe is a solution for demanding applications that require a constant and significant flow of electrical energy. The system offers rated power from 100 kVA to 1000 kVA and an energy storage capacity of 250 kWh and 2000 kWh, depending on the model, to deliver high power with long autonomy. it can be used together with a generator to enable smart load management. Alternatively, it can serve as the primary source of power when used in the island mode. It can also be combined with renewable sources of energy for immediate


or later use, capturing the energy from solar panels, for example, and storing it for delivery at any given time. The intelligent control system manages the energy offer and demand coming from the different energy sources, increasing the efficiency of hybrid solutions that is translated into a cost reduction of the total solution.


This ZenergiZe system can also act as the ‘brain’ of a microgrid, managing the power supply of entire areas such as small towns, university campuses, and neighbourhoods. It can store the energy from diverse sources and manage the energy consumption and regulate the load for each of the applications associated with the microgrid using its intelligent control system. It can also be synchronised with additional energy storage systems, enabling users to scale their final solution with up to 30 ZBCs working in parallel in any power node.


The range is compact – with a footprint of 10ft or 20ft, depending on the model – and can meet operating and safety restrictions in noise- sensitive environments such as public events and metropolitan construction sites or to power remote applications.


New compound for the core of wind turbine blades


Diab Group, a prominent manufacturer of sandwich composite solutions, has chosen SABIC’s new LNP Colorcomp compound, which uses nano technology to reduce weight and improve mechanical properties of sandwich structures with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foams, as the core material of its wind turbine blades. Diab has selected the SABIC compound over standard nucleators for production of its Divinycell PY PET foam core series. By reducing the foam’s cell size by a factor of up to two, while maintaining the same density and decreasing the cell size dispersity, LNP Colorcomp compound helps enable the final component to be lighter and more efficient in use. These improvements to the core foam material can help designers create new, longer blades that address increasingly stringent standards for precision, weight and consistent quality, and


contribute to greater overall energy generation. “Even though PET foam is relatively new to the wind turbine core materials market, as a thermoplastic it offers many advantages and is a good candidate for broader use in turbine blades,” said Magdalena Sandström, CTO Diab Group. “We are focused on optimising the performance of our PET foams to drive industry adoption of a more sustainable solution. LNP Colorcomp, a material that provides increased control over cell nucleation and growth, is helping us achieve this goal. By leveraging this unique technology, we are developing innovative products that enable the implementation of larger and more-powerful blades.” The market for wind power is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 7.9 % between 2020 and 2025, according to Mordor Intelligence. To support this growth, wind turbine blade designs


have increased in size and efficiency to boost energy generating capacity. In Europe, the average length of onshore wind turbine blades is 50 m (164 ft). In the United States, blades also average 50 m, but their length is increasing, with some blades measuring up to 80 m. Larger blades demand new designs and improved core materials. Another challenge is extending the useful lifespan of wind turbines to amortise their capital cost. Thermoplastic materials, such as Diab’s PET foam, deliver strength, stiffness, durability and design freedom that can help increase blade life. Thermoplastics are said to help improve the sustainability of wind turbine blades. There are growing concerns about how to recycle these complex parts, most of which are currently landfilled. Using thermoplastic PET foams make turbine blades easier to recycle.


Durable steel generator canopy for harsh environments


Power systems supplier Kohler has launched its new generator canopy, designated M139. It is said to offer the highest levels of anti-corrosion performance, making it suitable for use in harsh outdoor environments in markets such as Africa and the Middle East.


The M139 covers the power range from 165 kVA to 250 kVA. It completes the redesign of canopies for Kohler’s industrial range, with the previously released M137 and M138 covering 22 to 130 kVA. The canopy is made from aluminium-zinc coated steel, which provides superior protection against


corrosion compared with standard galvanised steel. Tests at the French Corrosion Institute near Kohler’s headquarters in Brest, northwest France, showed that the M139 continued to provide resistance for up to 1500 hours in a climatic chamber under salt spray conditions. The design of the M139 has also resulted in the removal of certain welds, eliminating water traps that can accelerate the spread of rust. “The M139 canopy integrates generators for prime and back-up electricity production in global markets, and [is expected to] find application in a


broad range of small industry and retail settings,” said Kevin Bougault, product manager, Small Diesel Range, at Kohler.


www.modernpowersystems.com | May 2021 | 39


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