Sustainable energy tech company, Exergy Solutions, has launched a European hub in Manchester – to support the UK’s transition to new power sources and renewable energy.
It is the UK-based operations of Japanese-founded company, Exergy Power Systems, the spinout from The University of Tokyo that has developed a unique high power battery energy storage system (BESS). Designed to rapidly respond to electricity network fluctuations caused among others, by the less predictable nature of renewables, the technology can be retrofitted to give existing power assets, such as back-up generators, new abilities to perform in a hybrid system.
Bringing 6 specialist jobs to the city region with sights set on further expansion, it is one of a growing number of specialist energy and environment companies to confirm a move to Manchester – with collaborations now underway to develop its grid control software and existing technology for the UK and European markets.
Dr Mike Musil, CEO of the UK-based operations – Exergy Solutions Limited, said: “We chose Manchester as our European base because of the clear vision it has for its own net zero future and the specialist digital and engineering talent the city attracts. It also provides us with the opportunity to establish the right partnerships, being in the North West.
“The sectors move to renewables has brought with it new challenges for reliable energy transition – with unpredictability of power supply and many assets too slow to react to grid disturbances. The Dynamic Containment (DC) market requires very fast reaction times from providers and the requirements are too challenging for some assets, such as back-up generators and fuel cells. Our team has developed a battery energy storage system with a patented cell design and chemistry, to provide fast power supply to support both the grid through DC provision and large power consumers through uninterruptible power supply (UPS) services thanks to our small capacity, high power battery, these capabilities can be provided with a lower environmental impact and at a lower cost. We are therefore developing an energy management system to hybridise our BESS with any other assets to maximise the capabilities thereof.”
It is also collaborating with The University of Sheffield, an expert in maximising the capabilities of BESS, to develop its 1 MW containerised system with funding from Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Tokyo Gas. It will simulate the hybrid operation in a virtual power plant and demonstrate how the system can participate in the Dynamic Containment (DC) market.
Tim Newns, Chief Executive of MIDAS Greater Manchester’s inward investment agency, which supports significant expansion and relocations into Greater Manchester, said: “Manchester saw significant growth in the energy and environment sector last year – and Exergy Solutions is a powerful example of the green innovation happening here. As a city region, we are taking important steps towards Greater Manchester’s own net carbon neutral 2038 target – as well as seeing major moves by companies developing the innovation to support a greener economy here in the UK and internationally.
MIDAS, in collaboration with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority is hosting a virtual conference on 9th February 2022, highlighting the low carbon business opportunities for Japanese companies. Guests will hear directly from Exergy Power Systems and Kansai Electric Power Company about their experiences and how they’re capitalising on the opportunities presented by the city region.
