Northern Power Systems Launches Power Conversion Technology into Energy Storage Market

HOMER Energy partner, Northern Power Systems, a leading renewable energy technology company, has launched the next generation of its FlexPhase™ power converter platform specifically engineered to be integrated with energy storage systems and used in grid support applications.

Originally developed in 2009 as part of the company’s wind product line, the FlexPhase platform has been designed from the ground up with a unique circuit design that yields high performance with less component stress, lower cost, and higher reliability than traditional 2-level converters. Northern Power Systems’ patented, bi-directional FlexPhase converter is qualified for utility-scale Energy Storage Systems (ESS) where there is a growing need to address multiple applications and requirements. The features of this state-of-the-art system include:

  • Modular design
  • Customizable architecture
  • Microgrid ready
  • High efficiency over wide power range

The FlexPhase power converter provides a full suite of control capabilities to support energy storage applications, including:

  • Low and zero voltage ride through
  • Voltage and frequency droop control
  • Islanding detection and seamless transition
  • Critical load support/UPS operation
  • Black start capability
  • Minimal DC bus ripple

The FlexPhase power converter platform is entering one of the fastest growing sectors in the energy market as the global installed energy storage for grid capacity is expected to grow from 538.4 megawatts in 2014 to 20.8 gigawatts in 2024. Whether for frequency regulation, load shifting/time shifting or microgrid applications, the FlexPhase power converter is key in extracting efficiencies and value from energy storage solutions. The technology works equally well for any type of energy storage, whether mechanical (flywheel) or chemical (flow, sodium nickel chloride, lithium-ion, lead-acid and others) as its inherent design allows for immediate frequency response and easy integration.

The FlexPhase power converter will have its industry debut at the Energy Storage Association’s 25th Annual Conference and Expo in Dallas, Texas from 27-29 May, 2015.

Source: Press release

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