Spring 2023

ESS to supply iron flow battery power to Schiphol

ESS to supply iron flow battery power to Schiphol

ESS, an Oregon, US-headquartered manufacturer of long-duration energy storage systems for commercial and utility-scale applications, is to supply its iron flow battery solution to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
ESS’s iron flow technology provides cost-effective long-duration energy storage and is ideal for applications that require up to 12 hours of flexible energy capacity, the company says. Its Energy Warehouse solution delivers “commercial and industrial scale energy storage without the challenges associated with toxic electrolytes, cooling requirements, fire risks, and other complications associated with other battery technologies”.
It will be used in a pilot programme to support the retirement of polluting diesel generators as part of Schiphol Airport’s ongoing efforts to maximise environmental sustainability. Schiphol expects to have emission-free ground operations by 2030.
The pilot will be carried out with an ESS Energy Warehouse to recharge electric ground power units at the Dutch gateway, as electric GPUs come on line to replace diesel GPUs currently used to supply electrical power to aircraft when parked at the airport.
ESS’s Energy Warehouse was chosen for the pilot, it says, because of “its superior environmental and safety performance – ESS’s safe and non-toxic iron flow batteries pose no fire or explosion risk, which makes them safe for use in close proximity to passenger aircraft”.
Notes Alan Greenshields, ESS director Europe: “The decarbonisation of air travel is crucial and Schiphol is leading the way. We are proud to partner with a leading airport operator to demonstrate and pilot the key role that long-duration energy storage will play in helping to decarbonise airport operations and reduce ground level emissions, improving air quality for airport and airline employees and passengers.”
Oscar Maan, manager of innovation at Schiphol’s operator, Royal Schiphol Group, adds: “We hope that the partnership with ESS enables Schiphol to advance our electrification and decarbonisation strategy.
“If this pilot is successful, this is a double win as it both reduces our carbon footprint and reduces air pollution.”
Maan continues: “This pilot will also be part of TULIPS. Royal Schiphol Group is leading the TULIPS consortium, funded by the EU as part of the European Green Deal. The consortium aims to speed up the rollout of sustainable technologies in aviation and significantly contribute towards zero emissions and zero waste at the EU’s 300+ airports by 2030 and climate-neutral aviation by 2050.

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