Invinity makes progress on several 'key' projects

Utility-grade energy storage technology company Invinity Energy Systems updated the market on fourth quarter project deliveries on Friday, including the successful delivery of a number of key UK and US projects.

The AIM-traded firm said that with a number of projects in the delivery process, energised, and commissioned, it was “confident” that showcasing system operation at prominent customer sites, and thus demonstrating its market position, would support the closure of further sales among the company's healthy pipeline of near-term commercial prospects.

At the Energy Superhub Oxford, Invinity said that in line with the previously-stated schedule, the complete system comprising 27 VS3 flow batteries in three battery clusters had now been delivered, installed and energised.

With a total capacity of over five megawatt-hours, equivalent to the daily electricity needs of more than 600 UK households, it was the largest flow battery installed in the UK to date.

Hybridised alongside a lithium-ion battery to operate as a single energy storage asset, the combined system would be the largest directly transmission-connected battery in the UK.

“Invinity continues to work closely with its project partners - developer Pivot Power, part of EDF Renewables; global technology company Wärtsilä; battery trading optimiser Habitat Energy; and power electronics supplier Gamesa Electric - to complete final integration and commissioning of the battery ahead of customer handover expected in early 2022,” the board said in its statement.

In Scotland, Invinity said installation and commissioning was now nearing completion for the four VS3 flow batteries delivered to the Scottish Water site in Perth.

With a combined total capacity of over 0.8 megawatt-hours, the flow battery system was coupled with a one megawatt-peak (MWp) solar array - Scottish Water's largest to date.

The Invinity flow battery would enable around 94% of the renewable power generated to be used on-site. helping to reduce the site's energy costs by around 40%.

It would also support the installation of electric vehicle chargers, and cut the facility's carbon footprint by around 160 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum.

“The company is currently working alongside principal contractor Absolute Solar & Wind and energy optimisation company Open Energi to complete final testing and integration of the battery, which is expected to become operational shortly.”

At the European Marine Energy Centre, the company said the 1.8 megawatt-hour Invinity flow battery system had now been manufactured and was awaiting dispatch to the customer site on Eday in Orkney.

As it said in its update on 8 November, due to the risk of further delays to ancillary components and logistical challenges - factors beyond Invinity's control - the company now \expected system delivery would take place in early 2022, rather than late 2021.

In the United States, Invinity reported the successful delivery, installation, commissioning and handover of two VS3 battery modules at a site in Colorado, for renewable energy company Ameresco, which would conduct a multi-stage investigation into the application of flow battery technology to microgrids in defence applications.

Further to its 8 November update, the two 0.5 megawatt-hour Invinity flow battery systems for delivery into customers located in southern California were currently in transit.

The firm said it expected delivery there to take place in early 2022.

In Asia, Invinity announced the successful delivery of 0.4 megawatt-hours of projects to customer sites in Taiwan and China.

Installation was currently underway, with customer handover expected to occur in early 2022.

Finally, at Yadlamalka in Australia, Invinity reported that progress was being made by its project partners in resuming the project as originally planned in the first half of 2022.

The company said it expected to provide an update on project progress during the first quarter of 2022.

“This encouraging progress demonstrates our ability to deliver operating energy storage systems to multiple sites - a major step change in Invinity's progression from a technology company making flow batteries to a product company supplying utility-grade energy storage,” said chief executive officer Larry Zulch.

“Our focus on operational capabilities has enabled us to overcome recent impediments and supply-chain challenges with only minor delays.

“I'm proud of our team and what they are accomplishing as Invinity and our customers support the global transition to a net zero energy system.”

At 1500 GMT, shares in Invinity Energy Systems were down 2.2% at 89p.