ADS-TEC: Decentralized battery storage platforms with ultra-fast DC charging

Battery-buffered solutions enable energy consumers and providers to act independently of the limited grid and inflexible renewable energy suppliers. ADS-TEC Energy is developing energy platforms for limited grid capacities, which were recently presented at Volta-Xchange, the new high-level business platform with professional and strategic exchange for a green and secure energy system.

At the recently held Volta-Xchange in Stuttgart, ADS-TEC Energy presented its decentralized battery-based energy storage solutions that do not require the grid to be upgraded, also suitable for non-public charging infrastructure due to their ultra-fast DC charging capability. 

Citing a recent study by Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, the company claims that the low-voltage grid will not be able to cover the additional load that is expected to occur by 2030 in Europe without grid modernization, which might take about € 9.5 billion to upgrade the grid.

"Back in the day, there were very few energy suppliers, and all of them were large, centralized entities," said Felix Jaszczak, Product Marketing Manager at ADS-TEC Energy. "The future of energy is to have many smaller providers operating according to a decentralized model. Above all, this will result in small-scale power plants that are part of an intelligent network, source their power from renewable energy and supply it directly to consumers on site." 

However, Jaszczak went on to note that the use of renewable energy sources calls for highly flexible storage facilities due to the volatility of this type of energy. "This is where battery storage enters the frame. These systems can be charged using both existing and local generators. Intelligent battery storage systems enable operators to be flexible in providing energy – even if the network is limited", he explained. 

To put it in perspective, if a car can be fully charged to 190 kW and the grid connection can only supply 100 kW, the battery storage system can cover the 90 kW shortfall. "ADS-TEC Energy products are even able to charge the battery storage system while the vehicle is charging," noted Felix Jaszczak. 

This is because the charge for an electric vehicle is higher at the beginning of the charging cycle and lower at the end (this may vary depending on the type of vehicle. "During charging, the energy supplied switches constantly between full and lower capacity utilization. If a vehicle draws less energy than is provided by the grid, the battery storage system will charge up using the difference", he added. 

Towards the end of the cycle, every vehicle flattens its charging curve to protect the battery. This is used by the charging station's internal battery storage system to recharge in parallel to the vehicle. "This means the next user can charge their vehicle straight away," said Jaszczak. The company claims to use the actual operating data and experiences from a large customer base to make this assertion.

ADS-TEC further claims that its platform solutions can all be linked to each other, with the result that many small-scale power plants join to become a single, decentralized plant. These storage solutions are designed to be flexible when it comes to recharging them, meaning more renewable energy can be used in the process, the company adds. 

Moreover, the use of battery storage systems allows operators to act independently in periods of high network load. By relying on the storage systems at these times, they save a great deal of money, according to the battery storage solutions developer. 

ADS-TEC Energy is offering fast-charging solutions such as 'ChargePost', 'ChargeBox' and C&I energy storage systems. The company's battery-buffered platform solutions offer ultra-fast charging with up to 320 kW, without the need for complex, costly grid expansion.