Energy storage partnership sees size of APAC market at 3,000 island communities
By Justine Irish D. Tabile – July 14, 2024 | 8:30 pm
from Business World
PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO
US ENERGY storage company Amber Kinetics said the potential Asia-Pacific (APAC) market for its storage technology being co-developed with regional partners is about 3,000 island communities.
“Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. has identified 3,000 islands that will require this technology all over the Asia-Pacific region,” Amber Kinetics Chief Executive Officer Edgar O. Chua said on the sidelines of the US Embassy’s 16th Media Seminar last week.
“We are about to complete the testing and development; we are expecting that in August,” he added.
The development of the technology stems from a memorandum of understanding signed by Amber Kinetics, Aboitiz Power Corp., Kawasaki Heavy, and IKS Co. Ltd. in February 2023.
“What we signed in Tokyo was a joint cooperation to work on the development of the iVSG (virtual synchronous generator). So the technology, iVSG, comes from Kawasaki, and a component of iVSG needs storage, so that’s where we come in,” he said.
“iVSG also needs an inverter, so that’s where IKS comes in, and then Aboitiz Power is our partner that will provide the proof of concept. Eventually… Aboitiz Power can also be a partner in marketing the solution,” he added.
Currently, the consortium is developing the proof of concept on a small scale at De La Salle University. This week, Amber Kinetics is set to discuss with Aboitiz Power arrangements for testing on a larger scale.
“We are about to start discussions with Aboitiz to identify which sites would be good sites for the testing of the proof of concept of the technology,” he said.
“The technology is really geared for microgrids, so we need to identify which islands will be ideal to work with,” he added.
Mr. Chua said that the solution will also be applicable to Aboitiz Power’s more mainstream operations as it can help stabilize grids when sourcing from renewables.
According to Kawasaki Heavy’s website, iVSG is software that enables an inverter to behave like a synchronous generator, ensuring grid stability.
Mr. Chua said that such technology is important as the grid may become unstable while sourcing from renewables as the power generated fluctuates.
