Our Leo Craig shares his expertise on the potential of UPS batteries as a source of energy storage for an influential whitepaper investigating Demand Side Response (DSR).
When influential industry publication Mission Critical Power started putting together an in-depth investigation into the potential of DSR, our General Manager was an obvious person speak to.
After all, Leo has more than 30 years’ experience in the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) sector. In addition, he’s also a strong advocate of UPS batteries being used to generate renewable energy.
There’s already more than 4 gigawatts of power stored in UPS units across the UK. Advances in storage technology, namely the rise in popularity of Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries, mean we’ve only scratched the surface of this potential. This is particularly important as the country moves increasingly towards a DSR grid model.
In his submission, Leo admits that the traditionally risk-adverse power protection industry has been somewhat slow on the uptake. He outlines the advantages of Li-Ion batteries compared to standard sealed lead acid models (i.e. same density in 50% of the space, faster recharge times, and the ability to be recharged up to 10,000 times).
“DSR is good for businesses, good for the National Grid and good for the general public” – Leo Craig, Riello UPS
As part of Leo’s contribution to the document, he highlighted Riello UPS’s involvement in the creation of a ‘virtual power plant’. This project with KiWi Power combined our 20 kVA Multi Sentry UPS with Li-Ion battery technology. Electricity generated from the batteries is used at peak times to power the firm’s 40-strong London office instead of mains supply.
The ‘Mission Critical Sites and DSR’ report follows on from a Mission Critical Power survey last year. The poll found 77% of mission-critical businesses would be interested in DSR, but only if it did not affect core business.
Leo’s views appear on page 19-20 of the full ‘Mission Critical Sites and DSR’ whitepaper. The report is free to download over at the Mission Critical Power website.
