Aqua Power Technologies

Product

Hybrid Energy

Reducing generator running time by up to 90%.

Aqua Power Technologies hybrid system reduces the fuel consumption of generators by up to 75%, and significantly reduces CO2, NO2, and operating costs.

The hybrid system provides power 24/7, and automatically controls the management of power delivery, enabling operators to focus on managing their workload without disruption, whilst saving costs and reducing emissions.

We used to be filling our diesel tank at least once a week and now we’re probably getting four times longer between fills.

Alan Tangny, Manager, Loch Spelve Scottish Sea Farms Ltd.

Aqua Power Technologies expertise in specifying and deploying hybrid systems is backed by over 40 separate generator energy analysis studies and hybrid deployments, which span a variety of markets including mining and aquaculture.

Hybrid Energy Overview

How Hybrid Systems Work

The hybrid system comprises of an array of batteries, inverters, and a central programmable logic controller (PLC). The PLC constantly monitors the power demanding loads and seamlessly switches between using the generator or the battery array as the live power source. Typically, if the loads are very high, the generator is the live power source, whereas low loads are powered by the battery array. When the generator is powering high loads, it also charges the battery array at the same time, which increases the specific energy output efficiency of the diesel being consumed. Once the batteries are fully charged, the PLC reassess the load profile and automatically switches back to the battery array as the live power source.

The hybrid system can be set with several parameters which dictate when the generator is turned on or off. For example, timers can be set to ensure the generator does not switch on in quiet hours, or the generator can switch on or off if a certain power load threshold is breached.

Integration

Hybrid systems can be integrated into new facilities at the planning stage, or as a retrofit solution in existing operations. For permanent installations, the systems can be mounted alongside the electrical distribution panels. Or, if the system is to be operated at several different sites with short commissioning and decommissioning times, the system can be supplied in a mobile cabinet, which provides greater flexibility of system placement.

Benefits

Alongside the savings in diesel consumption and the reduction in CO2 and No2 emissions, hybrid systems also provide the following benefits:

  • Up to a 90% reduction in noise pollution, due to the batteries silently powering the loads.
  • Increased longevity of the generator and a reduction in servicing and costs.
  • Reduction in costs associated with fuel logistics and delivery.
  • Early warning of generator failures or electrical issues within the powered loads.
  • 24/7 power for sensors, CCTV, monitoring, lights, etc.
  • Access to live data on the systems status via AquaStat IoT.

The real-time monitoring platform (AquaStat IoT) has offered an insight into the farm’s power use profile and given the company scope to manage that even better. This level of monitoring of our power use is something we wouldn’t have had otherwise. Aside from the direct benefits, there are a lot of other things we can learn.

Sheena Gallie, Environment Manager, Scottish Sea Farms Ltd.

Reduce Fuel

Hybrid system integration redcues fuel consumption signficantly. Within the UK, the price of red diesel has risen 61% over the last 12 months, which represents a signficant increase in operating costs of intensive generator reliant operations.

Reduce Costs

Hybrid systems reduce the amount of diesel consumed by intelligently switching between battery power and generator power to satisfy the load demand. As a result, the generators useable lifespan is increased, and the servicing costs reduced.

Reduce Emissions

When using diesel as a power source, generators produce several harmful emissions to the environment, most notably CO2, and NOx. NOx is a collective term given for Nitrous Oxide (N20), Nitric Oxide (NO), and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2).

Increase Efficicency

A reduction in generator servicing, maintenance, and fuelling frees up capacity, which can be applied to other areas of an operation to increase productivity. The reduction in fuel consumption has the added benefit of providing a lower production cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Environmental Impact

When configuring a hybrid system, Aqua Power Technologies seeks to maximize the total energy output from the battery array to provide the largest environmental impact and lifespan of the system.

To consider the total environmental impact of hybrid systems, the CO2 emissions offset when in use need to be balanced against the CO2 emissions produced in the manufacturing stage. Typically, 1kWh of lithium produces 73kG of CO2e at the manufacturing stage.

To achieve a CO2 net gain, it is critical that hybrid systems are correctly configured to ensure that the emissions produced in manufacturing are offset within the anticipated lifespan of the system. Incorrect configuration can lead to battery arrays reaching their end-of-life before offsetting their own carbon impact in production. CO2 emissions produced within the manufacturing stages are rarely integrated into the analysis and configuration of hybrid systems and can lead to a false understanding of success, due to the emission reduction when in use only being considered.

Aqua Power Technologies integrates hybrid systems considering the total life cycle analysis of emissions, not just the emission metrics when in use.

Trusted Technologies

Aqua Power Technologies hybrid systems use a select number of original equipment manufacturers (OEM) that have a proven track record of reliability and performance in the field. As an authorized system integrator of reputable industrial products ensures that the best practices are adhered to, and that warranties of integrated components remain valid.
  • Integrated brands include Siemens, Schneider, Omron, ABB.
  • OEM warranties ranging between 3-5 years, depending on specification.

Depending on the power profile and budget, a range of battery technologies can be integrated, ranging from flooded lead acid to lithium iron to saltwater. In any situation, the battery charge and discharge parameters recommended by the manufacturer are strictly adhered to, which ensures the warranty and maximum useable power can be extracted from the battery over its lifetime.

  • Integrated brands include Samsung NMC, Rolls, Valence, Tesla.
  • OEM warranties ranging between 3-10 years, depending on specification.

Maintenance & Servicing

Hybrid systems benefit from requiring low maintenance and servicing, due to the solid-state nature of the components and lack of any moving parts within the system. The level of maintenance and servicing depends on the battery technology integrated within the hybrid system. Typically, lithium-based batteries require less maintenance than flooded lead acid, but the initial investment is higher.

As a byproduct of integrating a hybrid system, the servicing and maintenance costs required for the generator system reduce, due to the significant reduction in generator on time.

Remote Monitoring

Remote monitoring is a standard feature on all hybrid systems and enables over-the-air modification of parameters and technical assistance to maximize the diesel displacement yield. By implementing governing systems, the early detection of issues with the imported and exported electrical power can identified, which enables intervention prior to failure, such as generator malfunction.

The constant stream of data provides the opportunity for customers to obtain a deep insight into their power usage over time, which can be useful to retrospectively assess the effectiveness of operations and provides the opportunity to effectively implement change to achieve efficiency gains.

Renewables Integration

To further increase the displacement of the generator, renewable energy systems can be integrated, such as wind, wave, and solar. Integrating renewable energy into hybrid systems provides the opportunity to significantly reduce the generator on time, and in some instances, displace the generator completely.

Aqua Power Technologies wave energy converter, MANTA, is specifically designed to operate with hybrid systems, and provides the opportunity for wave energy to power ocean based industrial sites, such as aquaculture.