Younicos to upgrade Kodiak Island to lithium energy storage

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In 2007, KEA set a goal to produce 95 percent of Kodiak’s energy from renewable sources by 2020, to reduce reliance on diesel fuel and lower the cost of generation to customers. Today, the island has achieved that goal through a combination of hydroelectric and wind energy, KEA officials say. The new batteries will permit greater harvesting of wind potential.

This switch to lithium ion is reflective of the global battery market, in which lithium ion now represents 37 percent of all use, compared with lead acid representing 32 percent of the market. Market analysts CRU reckon that lithium ion demand will grow up to 20 percent per year over the next five years, while lead acid will grow at a single digit rate.

Lithium ion technology is used for the vast majority of stationary rechargeable applications like renewable energy storage. Lithium ion batteries will provide roughly three times — or about 150 kWh/kg— the run time of lead acid batteries, and will provide about four times the specific power — about 400 W/kg — as lead acid. As a result, lithium ion is expected to supply 80 percent of the new battery demand globally over the next five years, CRU reports.

Darron Scott, the CEO of Kodiak Electric Association (KEA), commented, “Our main goal has always been to bring more renewables to the island and greatly reduce the cost and environmental impacts of using diesel fuel. We realized early on that battery storage is the best solution to help us achieve these goals, and that Younicos is a company with the right technology and expertise – as well as a passion for clean and affordable energy.”

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