The iSTORMY project: a hybrid energy storage system with multiple applications
The global energy transition is strongly influenced by the pressing need to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change, all while ensuring that everyone continues to have access to a sustainable energy supply.
However, significant challenges such as the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, increasing electricity demand, and need for more intelligent and resilient infrastructures are part and parcel of this change. In this context, we must research and develop advanced technological solutions, such as energy storage systems and versatile electronics interfaces, to build an energy grid that can overcome the challenges faced both now and in the future. This was the task taken on by iSTORMY, a project that aimed to develop an interoperable and modular hybrid energy storage system to address these new challenges.
The current state of affairs
The electricity grid is undergoing a rapid transformation to adapt it to a variety of new energy resources, and energy storage technology plays a key role in this change.
The incorporation of solar and wind power, decentralised systems, and various energy storage methods, in addition to the increasing electricity demand and expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructures, pose significant challenges in terms of guaranteeing the stability and reliability of the grid. This situation has given rise to the need for advanced power electronics and reliable, modular, and universal interface solutions that can be efficiently integrated with all grid components, as is the case of iSTORMY.
iSTORMY project targets
The iSTORMY project aimed to develop an innovative hybrid energy storage system (HESS) that incorporates first and second life battery modules, cells with different chemistries (NMC and LFP), modular power electronics, advanced thermal management, and an intelligent control structure.
Achieving this target was a complex and demanding task, as the solution combines components of different natures (such as electrical, mechanical, thermal, or chemical) and different dynamics in a single system. This was quite the challenge and was broken down into several sub-targets for our company:
- Double the useful life of electric vehicle batteries by giving them a second life in stationary applications.
- Extend the useful life of first life batteries.
- Develop more reliable and long-lasting modular power electronics (from TRL 4 to TRL 6).
- Increase the system’s total performance and useful life.
- Demonstrate/validate the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO), reducing it by 15%.
Project timeline
The iSTORMY project was the culmination of 4 years of dedication, innovation, and collaboration that will have a lasting impact and pave the way for future applications. It is a shining example of cooperation between several companies and academic organisations from six different countries.
Watch the video summary of the final project event clicking in the following image:
The project received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement ID 963527.
Eleven partners worked together on the project: CEGASA ENERGIA, S.L.U. (Spain); VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT (Belgium); COMMISSARIAT À L’ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVES (France); MONDRAGON UNIBERTSITATEA (Spain); ZIGOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (Spain); EDF – RECHERCHE ET DÉVELOPPEMENT, LABORATOIRE DES MATÉRIELS ÉLECTRIQUES (France); NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST-NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK – TNO (Netherlands); PRODRIVE TECHNOLOGIES B.V (Netherlands); GREENWAY INFRAESTRUCTURE S.R.O. (Slovakia); AUSTRIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – AIT (Austria); and UNIRESEARCH (Netherlands).
