NYPA and Cornell University Test Mobile Battery as Diesel Generator Alternative

Cornell University now has a quiet, no-emissions way to bring electricity to out-of-the-way places that host outdoor events such as convocation, graduation, reunion and concerts. A mobile battery energy storage system (MBESS) unit demonstrated on the Ithaca campus in November, was purchased through a collaboration with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) as a potential alternative to using portable diesel fuel generators.

We’re focused on helping our customers move the clean energy needle,” said Alan, NYPA’s senior director of Research and Technology Development. “This is one of many alternative technologies being studied for energy storage and it shows great potential for locations that don’t have power easily available.”

NYPA funded the project and facilitated its implementation, working with the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, the Campus Sustainability Office, and the Facilities and Campus Services Office to address state fire codes and ensure the system would be deployed safely.

Viridi, the system’s manufacturer, demonstrated the charging of an EV, a heater and a sound system. Student and faculty researchers advancing sustainable energy technologies also attended.

The MBESS employs Viridi’s proprietary lithium-ion battery technology, reducing potential fire risk, and is being explored as a quieter option, a flexible emergency power source, and a new standard for providing on-site power.

“The Viridi system relies on anti-propagation technology that makes lithium-ion battery energy storage systems inherently more fire safe,” said Steven, NYPA director, Research & Development. “This has the potential for greater deployment of the systems in ways and in locations that previously wouldn’t have been pursued.”

EPRI helped secure the approvals and permits to help smooth the adoption of the technology. Cornell faculty and students will examine how the technology can help reduce the environmental footprint of large universities in a cost-effective manner.

MBESS systems have emerged in recent years as a versatile option to provide a clean and quiet alternative to portable diesel fuel generation power. Unlike stationary storage systems, MBESS can be deployed to remote or temporary sites, providing power to an event or during an emergency for up to five hours. When not in use, Cornell’s MBESS will be parked at a charging center and connected to the grid.

“It’s less noise, less pollution, less gas and fueling – it’ll make everything easier,” said Juliet, facilities events and training manager at Cornell University.

The MBESS technology limits the consequences of thermal runaway – a process that leads to increasing temperatures and potentially fire – by preventing its propagation. Rather than stop the runaway, the new system confines it to the cellular level and reduces the risk of a fire.

Eilyan, an associate professor of electric and computer engineering, said the faculty were excited about the possibility of using the battery for additional research.

“It’s a challenge to integrate small resources into the grid,” he said. “We want to develop tools to take small batteries and groups of batteries and bid them into the wholesale electric market. This is one tool to continue development of that infrastructure.”