Valve actuators help the "giant battery"

Rotork IQ intelligent electric valve actuators are used in a revolutionary energy storage plant - a giant battery which, the designers say, could change the face of the power industry.

Rotork IQ intelligent electric valve actuators are used in a revolutionary energy storage plant - a giant battery which, the designers say, could change the face of the power industry.

The world's first full sized plant to use the Regenesys regenerative fuel cell technology is nearing completion on a site adjacent to the 680MW gas-fired Innogy Little Barford combined cycle power station.

The energy storage system, developed by Regenesys Technologies, a subsidiary of Innogy, uses regenerative fuel cells to convert electrical energy to stored chemical energy.

Two electrolytes are pumped through the fuel cells in individual circuits separated by an ion-exchange membrane.

When storing energy, the electrolytes convert to a charged state and can be discharged to release energy.

This cycle can be repeated as required for the duty of the plant.

The plant will be operated from a central control room, using a Foundation Fieldbus open control system to communicate with an Allen Bradley.

In addition to Foundation Fieldbus connectivity, the Rotork actuators are independently linked to an ICS Triplex ESD (emergency shutdown) system.

Roughly the size of a typical DIY store, the Little Barford plant will have a 15MW output and be able to store 120MWh of electricity.

The plant has been designed to meet the National Grid Company's requirements for 'black start' provision at the Little Barford power station, supplying enough power to restart power generation in the event of network interruption.

The plant will also supply electricity to the National Grid at times of peak demand, having been charged at off-peak periods.

The technology is very flexible and can be installed virtually anywhere on a power system.

As Antony Price, Innogy Technology Venture's marketing manager explains: "This is a very exciting technology that could change the way power systems around the world are planned and operated in the future".

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