Quantum 3: Wärtsilä unveils smart container-like grid-level energy storage system

A new generation of grid-level battery energy storage systems (BESS) developed by Finnish company Wärtsilä is smarter, safer, and more sustainable than its predecessors, the company said in a press release.

Called Quantum 3, the BESS system is housed in an ISO container, making it easier to ship globally, and is ready for deployment as soon as it arrives on site.

With solar and wind energy projects scaling up, more energy generated through renewable means is now fed into the grid. With new-age and conventional utility companies joining the movement to build large-scale renewable energy projects, there is a demand for large energy storage systems that can meet the rigorous demands of the grid while also handling the intermittency of wind and solar energy plants.

Founded in 1834, Wärtsilä is a manufacturer of power-sourcing equipment for the marine and energy industry. Based in Helsinki, Finland, it leverages its expertise in the area to provide solutions to the emerging renewable energy sector and, with Quantum 3 it aims to meet the utility-scale energy storage needs of its customers.

What does Quantum 3 offer?

Earlier this year, Wärtsilä announced its Quantum 2 BESS, which, with its containerized design, also offers the convenience of shipping and transport. The 20-foot container shell conforms to the ISO standard and makes it simpler to ship the storage system anywhere in the world while also facilitating simpler on-road transport.

Quantum 3 is also designed to balance energy density and weight, requiring fewer units on-site to achieve capacity plans and reduce project costs and emissions.

The system is delivered as a complete AC block, meaning it has batteries as well as a power conversion system. In the press release, the company stresses that it is using string-based inverters for power conversion, which allows decentralized control and improves the system’s reliability and efficiency.

Additionally, Wärtsilä has also taken a more sustainability-focused approach to the design, ensuring that the housing is low-weight and uses a cooling system with a low global warming potential.

Standard features of the energy storage system

The BESS solution also includes standard features such as a US-designed and engineered battery management system (BMS). The system focuses not just on thermal management and efficient cell balancing but also features enhanced cybersecurity measures, the press release added.

Quantum 3 also uses the GEMS Digital Energy Platform, Wärtsilä’s in-house energy management system that provides a battery-level view for the entire fleet and, with the string energy converters, provides better control.

The system is also smart enough to use energy reserves during periods of high energy costs, thereby saving customers money.

“Time and again, our customers choose Wärtsilä as their BESS partner because of our delivery record and ability to build solutions that are adaptable to their sites and project requirements,” said Andrew Tang,  Wärtsilä’s Vice President of Energy Storage and Optimisation in the press release.

“Quantum3 is the evolution of that promise, which addresses our customers’ primary concerns of safety, efficiency, security, cost, and time.”