Our vision of 24 hours of sun
We believe in a future in which we cover 100% of our global energy requirements from renewable sources: the world of 24 hours of sun.
Storing energy is one of the keys to success in implementing our vision of 24 hours of sun. Solar energy has great potential, but to make full use of this potential, it also has to be available all the time – day and night, in summer and in winter. At the same time, we have to be able to integrate more and more decentrally generated solar energy into our grids. To meet these requirements, we need powerful and efficient storage systems. With more than 70 years of experience in battery charging technology, Fronius has the know-how and expertise to develop innovative solutions for photovoltaic systems as well.
Decentralised energy storage brings significant added value – both for owners and for the grid. The owners of the storage unit can maximise their self-sufficiency by using self-generated solar energy, which increases the cost effectiveness of their investment. At the same time, they improve the utilisation levels of the public grids, as more locally generated energy can also be used directly at source. With the right legal framework, decentralised storage can also provide an extended benefit that is helpful to the system. For example, it allows energy to be taken from the grid at specific times, stored and then made available again later on. This is beneficial to energy management for the grid operator and allows the owners of the storage units to participate in the electricity market, thereby increasing the profitability of their storage system.
Thanks to Multi Flow Technology, the Fronius Energy Package covers a broad range of applications, something that other storage systems have yet to achieve. The system can be both DC- or AC-coupled. Users can charge the storage module with energy from their photovoltaic system, from the grid, or from other AC sources – all at the same time. This ensures maximum flexibility and future-proofing – and allows the operator to adapt to the changing conditions of a fluid energy environment.
Multi Flow TechnologyWhen it comes to storage modules, there are numerous solutions on the market from different suppliers. Here at Fronius, we made the decision to work only with the best, most reliable and safest technologies and manufacturers. Consequently, we offer the follwing storage system solution:
With the Fronius Solar Battery, Fronius offers the most innovative solution currently available on the market for the short-term storage of energy – namely from day to night. We are also investigating solutions that allow energy to be stored efficiently over the long term, i.e. for weeks or months. One approach is the Fronius Energycell, which consists of an electrolyser and a fuel cell. The electrolyser uses the generated solar energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is stored in a tank until the energy requirement is higher than the output of the photovoltaic system. The fuel cell then converts the stored hydrogen back into electrical energy. The waste heat generated as a by-product is not lost either, as it can be used to provide hot water and for heating back-up. This storage system is currently at the project stage. The Fronius Energycell is being tested and developed jointly with companies, universities and research facilities in numerous projects. Our innovation has already received several awards – including the World Energy Globe Award in 2007. With the Fronius Energycell, it will be possible in future to store self-generated solar energy efficiently and flexibly over a longer period as well.