Energy storage is the theme everyone is talking about. Lars Möllenhoff, MD of GILDEMEISTER energy storage GmbH, meets up with PES to talk about their vanadium redox flow energy storage system.
PES: Welcome to PES Solar/PV magazine. Thanks for talking with us. Would you like to begin by explaining a little about the background of your organization and how you currently serve the solar industry?
Lars Möllenhoff: GILDEMEISTER energy storage GmbH, based in Wiener Neudorf, Austria, is a leader in the development and commercialisation of vanadium redox flow energy storage systems. The “CellCube” took over 15 years to develop and now has around 10 years of practical application.
The CellCube storage system has been sold over 130 times within different application areas. One advantage is the constant and cost-efficient electricity supply. Combined with photovoltaic the storage system enables a steady power supply for microgrid applications as well as for the energy sector. The CellCube can be used to stabilise the grid or as interim storage for surplus energy also coming from PV parks.
PES: Is solar/PV a growing business area? How are you capitalising on this growth?
LM: Absolutely. We see a growing demand coming from companies that want to enhance their energy autarky. The need to produce and consume green energy will be with us for many years to come and it is economically viable. Although diesel prices are low at the moment many want to prepare for the future and are looking into alternatives in emerging markets. The CellCube is the answer for companies that want to take responsibility for their own energy supply and increase their self-consumption level. By using our energy storage system many customers are shaving their peak loads and reducing their energy bills significantly.
