Saft delivers innovative cold weather energy storage system in Arctic

Saft delivers innovative cold weather energy storage system
in Arctic Alaska




Wind-diesel hybrid power system, Arctic Circle at Kotzebue, Alaska.
Intensium® Max+ 20M containerized Battery Energy Storage System with “Cold Temperature
Package”.
Expanding marketplace serving remote communities and microgrids in cold-temperature regions.
Delivery to Kotzebue Electric Association Inc. (KEA) during Q3 2015.
Paris, November 9, 2015 – Saft, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech industrial
batteries, has delivered its Intensium® Max+ 20M containerized Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
with innovative “Cold Temperature Package” on schedule during Q3 2015, to Kotzebue Electric
Association Inc. (KEA), an electric cooperative based in Kotzebue, Alaska.
The system will allow the existing hybrid wind-diesel power system to achieve its full potential,
providing cleaner, more reliable and less expensive power to Kotzebue, located above the Arctic Circle
in Alaska’s Northwest Arctic Borough (an area the size of Illinois). Kotzebue is not connected to an
electrical transmission grid or to any road system, and has historically been dependent on diesel
powered generators for electricity. The annual average temperature is 22°F and area residents face
some of the highest costs for energy anywhere in the nation.
“Incorporating the Saft Intensium® Max+ 20M battery will allow better utilization of our wind system,”
said KEA General Manager and CEO Brad Reeve. “Battery storage is an additional tool we need to
increase our cooperative's efficiency and reduce our diesel dependence.”
The Saft BESS provides state-of-the-art battery storage technology designed for extreme cold
environments. It is the first container system of its kind in North America to utilize the Intensium® Max+
20M product platform. In addition to the Intensium® Max+ 20M battery container, which provides
950kWh and has the ability to operate in environments reaching ambient temperatures of -58°F, the
delivered BESS also includes a 1.2MW EssPro™ Power Conversion System and grid connect transformer,
supplied by ABB. The key benefits to the KEA microgrid will be the ability to ride through fluctuations in
wind output and to time-shift excess wind energy, providing significant reductions in diesel
consumption.
This is Saft’s second project for a remote community above the Arctic Circle. Alaska and other cold
temperature regions, where fuel transportation and electricity costs are high, represent a rapidly
expanding marketplace for specially-designed battery energy storage systems serving microgrids and
other hybrid power systems.
“Saft has emerged as a leader in serving the energy storage needs of power networks where extreme
temperatures require innovative design and performance,” said Blake Frye, Vice President of Sales and
Energy Storage at Saft. “We are proud to be a trusted resource for KEA and other energy providers and
co-ops in remote regions where our technology and expertise are required.”
N° 66-15
www.saftbatteries.com
While serving the energy needs of 980 members in the Kotzebue region and generating over 21 million
kilowatt hours per year, KEA is committed to improving energy reliability and efficiency, and reducing
operational costs. Several other remote villages in the region are being evaluated for Saft BESS
installations similar to the one at Kotzebue.
About Saft
Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world leading designer and manufacturer of advanced technology batteries for industry.
The Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of nickel batteries and primary lithium batteries for the industrial
infrastructure and processes, transportation, civil and military electronics’ markets. Saft is the world leader in
space and defense batteries with its Li-ion technologies which are also deployed in the energy storage,
transportation and telecommunication network markets. More than 4,000 employees in 18 countries, 14
manufacturing sites and an extensive sales network all contribute to accelerating the Group’s growth for the
future.
Saft batteries. Designed for industry. www.saftbatteries.com
###
Press contacts:
Saft
Karen Hollington, Corporate Communication Manager
Tel.: +33 1 49 93 17 68, e-mail: [email protected]
Naomi Silver, US Communications Manager, IBG
Tel.: +1-229-245-2854, e-mail: [email protected]
French | West | Vaughan
Melissa Timney, Tel.: +1-919-277-1165, e-mail: [email protected]
Six Degrees
Andrew Bartlett, Tel.: +44 118 900 0860, e-mail: [email protected]
N° 66-15
www.saftbatteries.com