Atlas Copco expands battery energy storage range

Atlas Copco has added 120kVA and 150kVA capacity battery energy storage systems (BESS) to its range, extending upwards its line of canopy, portable models, which now comprises five units with power outputs from 15kVA to 150kVA.

The new ZBP 120-120 and ZBP 150-150 models - which use Atlas Copco’s lithium-ion battery technology - wil be ideal for noise-sensitive environments such as construction sites and events.

Atlas Copco’s new ZBP 120-120 battery energy storage system. (Photo: Atlas Copco)

These new canopy models are available alongside Atlas Copco’s larger, containerised BESS products, which come in three sizes from 250kVA to 500kVA.

“Reducing emissions on site has become increasingly important to our customers and with the introduction of our new ESS it is now easier than ever before for operators to improve their sustainability credentials,” said Tobias Schuster, divisional product marketing manager at Atlas Copco Power and Flow.

“The ZBP 120-120 and ZBP 150-150 fit the gap between our canopy range of ZBP and the larger container-based ZBC models and we now have a very comprehensive portfolio of energy storage solutions on the market.”

Atlas Copco said the units are ideal for use where there is a demanding flow of electrical power required, as the systems efficiently cover low loads; “For example, the systems can appropriately size cranes and other electric motors, and successfully manage peaks in energy demand for events and for electric vehicle (EV) recharging stations.”

The units can be used as a sole source of power when operating in ‘island mode’, or hybrid alongside mains power, diesel generators or renewable energy. They can also be connected in series to deliver double the power capacity.

The ZBP 120-120 has a 400A passthrough capability. Atlas Copco claimed that in hybrid mode it has the highest passthrough capacity on the market, able to deliver 436kVA output.

The manufacturer said rental companies in particular can benefit from hybrid operation. Combining the storage units with fuel-based generators can extend the lifetime of the generator, extend service intervals, and reduce total cost of ownership.

All the energy storage systems come with Atlas Copco’s ECO Controller management system, which monitors and controls the ESS to optimise performance. It provides “seamless” communication with all components in an installation, including inverters, batteries, solar charge controllers, energy meters and third party equipment such as generators or loads.

The energy storage systems are also now getting a fresh appearance, in white, with the ZBP 120-120 and ZBP 150-150 models the first to have the new look. Atlas Copco said this was to make it easier for users to identify its battery-based ESS solutions.