Page 57 - North American Clean Energy May/June 2020 Issue

What to consider when bringing manufacturing operations to the U.S.
A scalable U.S. manufacturing
plant provides us with production independence. It also diversifies the supply chain and creates stability by eliminating reliance on a single country or region to meet demand. Integrating U.S- based manufacturing into the broader battery market can help better prepare the entire industry, especially in a time when unexpected production challenges create a ripple effect across the globe. The coronavirus outbreak, for example, halted production for over two weeks in China. Similar concerns, from natural disasters or other unpredictable events, could create comparable outcomes.
Establishing a battery manufacturing plant in the U.S. will require an investment of time, research, and capital. With strategic and well-executed plans, however, the long-term payoffs can be exponential. Before construction can even begin, however, certain factors must be taken into consideration.
What are the region’s available resources? Location is critical when building a battery manufacturing plant in the
U.S. Numerous states understand the value that sustainable technologies - particularly energy storage - bring to
a region in terms of creating jobs and addressing climate change. This opens the door for possible incentives and tax breaks, which can offset building costs.
Location can impact your access to labor and talent. The larger the plant, the larger the space needed to operate, and the more people needed. Sizable operations can employ up to 2,000 people for a variety of jobs, including technology development, shipping and logistics, customer service, and administrative roles. To accommodate a larger physical footprint, remote locations tend to be more appealing; however, they should be close enough to your talent pools to encourage employment.
Is the plant design as sustainable as your technology?
Energy storage systems are touted as a more sustainable option, yet the manufacturing process has historically produced heavy carbon emissions and industrial waste. Energy storage and battery manufacturers need to take full advantage of their technologies when designing a manufacturing plant.
To reduce costs, utilize renewable energy resources, and minimize their carbon footprint, manufacturers should consider incorporating their own solar plus storage (or wind plus storage) solutions into the plant design. Once energy storage solutions are introduced, more opportunities for cost savings become readily available to manufacturers. For example, there is an option to simultaneously use a manufacturing plant as co-generation plant, which establishes carbon-neutral operations while creating a net-positive reserve of energy that can be fed back into the grid.
The structure and deployment of renewable sources, if not planned properly, can potentially disrupt and displace surrounding wildlife. Manufacturers must create a facility design and manufacturing process that properly disposes of waste and raw materials to ensure operations don’t pollute neighboring water sources or disrupt natural habitats.
Are you establishing partnerships to gain control over the supply?
Partnerships play a critical role in scaling operations and gaining control over the supply chain. By forging relationships with international companies that have access to raw materials and existing manufacturing lines, it’s possible to leverage a replicable model that reduces operational risks and concerns. On the other end of the supply chain, working with companies that specialize in niche areas, such as battery recycling, can expand your service offerings to clients and help to reclaim materials for future use.
Today’s U.S.-based battery manufacturers have an opportunity to create stability within the supply chain and help meet global demand for energy storage. The growth of this industry presents a pressing need for new manufacturing locations, and the U.S. is well-positioned to become a key player in the global manufacturing market.
Lindsay Gorrill is CEO of KORE Power, a developer of high density, high voltage energy storage solutions for global utility, industrial, and mission-critical markets.
KORE Power /// korepower.com
Next generation solar energy storage solutions Fronius and BYD are working closely together in the field of energy storage to develop efficient battery storage solutions for both households and businesses.
All GEN24 Plus hybrid inverters are equipped with a battery connection,
energy management, monitoring, and
open interfaces for hot water heating, an electric car wallbox, or home automation
as standard. They will be available as the single-phase Primo GEN24 Plus with power categories from 3 to 6kW and the three- phase Symo GEN24 Plus from 6 to 10kW from the end of the second quarter of 2020. The BYD Battery-Box Premium storage systems are made up of individual storage modules according to requirements and can be combined with the GEN24 Plus in two different designs: the Battery-Box Premium HVS from 5.12 to 10.24kWh and the Battery- Box Premium HVM from 11.04 to 22.08kWh.
Fronius Solar Energy
/// www.fronius.com
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