FIAMM offers intelligent storage solutions for the new energy era: Sodium nickel accumulators are ideal companions for wind turbines and photovoltaic installations

Montecchio Maggiore (Italy)/Munich, 13th June 2012 (ots) - Network
upgrade, smart grid, base load security and blackout are just some of
the key words that are heard frequently as the German power market
undergoes transformation. In particular, the low-cost, efficient and
environment-friendly storage of electricity produced by wind turbines
and photovoltaic panels represents one of the crucial challenges for
the future. Among the major questions is how to feed into the German
grid the severely fluctuating yields of solar and wind power in order
to secure the supply of base load power and thus avert the need for
expensive new conventional power stations once the nuclear generating
industry is wound down.

With its sodium nickel accumulators, the Italian battery
specialist FIAMM offers an ideal solution. Thanks to their modular
design, these very durable energy stores can be configured for
practically any application between 4 kWh and several MWh, and
achieve a consistently high output over a wide temperature range
(from -40 to +60°C). Based on experience to date, the company
anticipates a service life of 15 years or 4,500 cycles without
performance falling below 80 percent of the original figure. A
further benefit lies in the ability of sodium nickel accumulators to
retain their initial charge, without any loss of performance, for an
indefinite storage period. The energy density is around 120 Wh per
kilogramme, and the power-to-weight ratio of the battery is about 165
W per kilogramme. As regards cost, the FIAMM solution nonetheless
ranks somewhere between lead and lithium ion technology.

Made from stainless steel (cell enclosure), salt, nickel, iron and
ceramic, the accumulator's environmental credentials easily surpass
those of every other battery system. Sodium nickel accumulators are
entirely free from highly toxic materials, 100 percent recyclable
and, in the absence of any gas emissions during service, compatible
with submarine applications as well. They also offer high
electrochemical safety. With several thousand systems already
installed worldwide, not a single serious incident has occurred to
date - the practically uncontrollable fires that afflict other
battery technologies from time to time are completely ruled out by
the system's design. Since the individual battery cells are
hermetically sealed and exceedingly well insulated, the battery's
surface temperature is only a few degrees higher than the ambient
temperature. The system is absolutely maintenance-free and -
appropriately housed in a standard 20-foot container - even capable
of withstanding earthquakes.

In combination, these attributes make the sodium nickel
accumulator the ideal storage solution for a host of stationary
applications. In conjunction with solar cells and/or wind turbines,
it can supply uninterrupted off-grid power not only to remote
telecommunication facilities, large servers, building sites, pumping
stations and field hospitals, but also to a small weekend chalet or
even an entire residential estate in the wilderness. In many cases,
this energy store can entirely replace or broadly complement
unreliable and high-maintenance generating sets. The system's
consistent and reliable power delivery for as long as 10 hours is
sufficient to bridge most gaps in supply from alternative sources.

The sodium nickel battery has been dutifully serving the
transportation sector for many years as well, in delivery vans and
trucks, buses and even trains. In view of its freedom from
maintenance and generally modest needs, it is especially popular in
vehicles that are in continuous service, whose operators demand low
costs over the entire life cycle.

But the range of applications does not end there. Sodium nickel
accumulators can also enhance the efficiency and predictability of
large-scale facilities, such as offshore wind parks. To avoid
shutting down the plant wholly or in part in case of excessive power
production that would endanger the network, the FIAMM system can
buffer the yield with moderate losses (cycle efficiency around 90
percent) and supply it later when output dips. The energy store can
be fully monitored and controlled from a remote location. FIAMM
batteries for use in existing installations, for example those using
wind energy for power generation, can often be integrated into the
existing converter structure, as FIAMM cooperates closely with the
leading suppliers of converter technology. Together with its minimal
maintenance requirements, this capability makes the sodium nickel
accumulator one of the most efficient and future-proof storage
systems on the market. FIAMM cooperates with numerous research
institutes and private corporations in Europe as Fraunhofer in
Germany, INES-CEA in France and CESI in Italy.

With their presence at the Intersolar Europe, FIAMM, amongst other
things, aims to extend their investments and partnerships throughout
Europe, in particular, against the background of the current energy
turnaround in Germany. With a total of 14 production plants for
battery technology worldwide, the company is ideally set up for the
challenges of the future. Since the foundation of the energy storage
solution branch in June 2011, FIAMM invested as much as 80 million
Euro in the extension of production capacities of its production
location in Stabio (Switzerland).

FIAMM sodium nickel storage solutions: Perfect companions for on
and off-grid applications

FIAMM Energy Storage Solutions offers systems for both on-grid and
off-grid applications.

BESS (battery energy storage system) (on-grid): Conceived for
applications in transmission and distribution networks typically
rated between 100 kWh and 2 MWh. This low-maintenance system can be
remotely controlled and monitored, and allows peak shaving and
targeted load shifting. BESS (off-grid): Customised solutions for
applications from 40 kWh to more than 150 kWh in remote locations
without a direct connection to the grid. In such circumstances, BESS
ideally complements the supply of power from alternative sources,
such as solar and wind energy. In response to this specific
requirement, FIAMM offers Energy Oasis Zero - fully pre-installed
units with solar modules and/or wind turbines together with an
appropriately rated, sodium nickel storage solution. The turnkey
system is delivered in a readily portable container, so that a
self-sufficient power supply can be delivered quickly, at a
reasonable cost, and with a very low maintenance requirement.

RESS (residential energy storage system) (on-grid): Designed for
dwelling units with a power demand of up to 100 kWh. The accumulator
allows power generated from renewable sources to be used efficiently
and at optimum cost, and maintains the supply in the event of a power
failure. (Off-grid): Rated at 4 to 10 kWh, the off-grid solution can
supplement or replace for up to 24 hours the power generated by solar
or wind installations for single houses or several dwelling units
that are not connected to the grid.

Established in 1942, the FIAMM Group produces and sells
accumulators for automotive and industrial applications
(uninterruptible power systems and energy storage), as well as visual
and acoustic signalling devices (car horns and sirens), and antenna
systems. It is represented in 60 countries and employs around 3,000
people worldwide, including about 950 in Italy. Group sales in 2011
totalled 540 million euros. The principal markets are Italy (26%) and
the rest of Europe (51%), where direct sales to car-makers (BMW,
Fiat-Chrysler, Ford, Mercedes, GM-Opel, PSA, Renault-Nissan, Toyota,
and Volkswagen) generate around 30% of turnover.

Pressekontakt:
Contacts:

Meneghini & Associati
Viale Trento 56F - 36100 VICENZA

Raffaela Saccardi
Tel. +39 0444 578823
Mobil +39 348 7479416
saccardi@meneghinieassociati.it

Cinzia Di Rosa
Tel. +39 0444 578817
Mobil +39 333 5887993
dirosa@meneghinieassociati.it

Matteo Sanavio
Tel. +39 044 578820
Mobil + 39 348 7479415
sanavio@meneghinieassociati.it