Northvolt and Vattenfall launch battery energy storage system

Northvolt has launched a new battery energy storage solution, Voltpack Mobile System– a rugged, highly modular lithium-ion battery solution envisioned as a zero-emission alternative to replace diesel generators. Vattenfall has supported the design of the system and will test and validate Voltpack Mobile System and its functionality prior to the market introduction.

Voltpack Mobile System will serve as a modular power supply solution which can be configured to meet energy and power requirements of a wide variety of market scenarios. Prime applications include powering remote electricity grids, reinforcing weak grids, supporting electric vehicle charging and delivering grid services such as balancing power, flexibility, or other ancillary services.  

Designed for redeployment, the system can be deployed for operations lasting days, weeks or even longer periods of time. This characteristic opens Voltpack Mobile System up to opportunities of leasing and is expected to significantly expand the system’s utility.  

Torbjörn Johansson, head of Vattenfall Network Solutions Sweden, comments: “The need for flexible energy solutions such as energy storages is vital for the transition to the new energy system. Energy storage provides fast access to power when customers need to peak-shave or the capacity of the grid connection is insufficient. The battery storage solution will be offered as part of our concept "Power-as-a-service”, which means that we deliver a complete package with ownership of the energy storage and manage it to the specification of the customer. Vattenfall add a long experience of owning and operating different kind of network solutions including energy storages.”

Emad Zand, President Energy Solutions Northvolt, comments: “We see an increased need from the market for flexible solutions, both in terms of use case but also location. Voltpack Mobile System is designed give our customers a fleet of assets that can be redeployed, repurposed and connected seamlessly. Vattenfall has been an invaluable partner of Northvolt since our earliest days, and their contributions to this project have enabled us to accelerate development of a product built to customer requirements.”  

Within the project, Northvolt has led development and production of core technologies, including battery and complementary inverter systems, and the battery management system. Drawing on the company’s experience of delivering commercial grid solutions to market, Vattenfall has supported Voltpack Mobile System project development to tailor the product to match the need of the market, through both advising on design and functionality.

Final validation of the system will be undertaken at Vattenfall’s test and certification center in Älvkarleby, Sweden. Vattenfall will be the first to offer the battery unit to the market and have identified the need for a sustainable solution at industries, for microgrids, construction sites as well as for event organizers.    

Scalable capacity

A single Voltpack Mobile System delivers up to 250 kW with a scalable capacity from 245 to 1225 kWh of available energy. Voltpack Mobile System scales through a central interface hub, which can connect up to five self-contained battery units in parallel. The hub also serves as an interface for applications, as well as housing for inverter and auxiliary systems. If further power or storage capacity is needed, this can be fulfilled simply by connecting multiple Voltpack Mobile Systems in parallel.  

Voltpack Mobile System energy units are based around three industrial-grade battery subpacks, with a liquid cooled feature and high safety standards, designed and built by Northvolt. Leveraging these field-proven technologies, Voltpack Mobile System is well-suited to operate under even the harshest conditions with a rugged profile and unique design features engineered for transportation and repeated redeployment.

About Northvolt

Northvolt is a European supplier of sustainable, high-quality battery cells and systems. Founded in 2016 to enable the European transition to a decarbonized future, the company has made swift progress on its mission to deliver the world’s greenest lithium-ion battery with a minimal CO₂ footprint and the highest ambitions for recycling. Among Northvolt industrial partners and customers are ABB, BMW Group, Scania, Siemens, Vattenfall, Vestas and the Volkswagen Group. For more information visit northvolt.com. 

About Vattenfall "Power-as-a-Service":

Power-as-a-Service is an energy solution that means that Vattenfall takes full financial and functional responsibility for the customer's power plant. This includes, among other things, the investment, ownership, project management, electrical safety responsibility and operational and maintenance responsibilities for the electric power plant.