Posh Electric is trialling sodium-ion batteries, which are cheaper than lithium; while VFlowTech is studying underground storage potential.

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has awarded a total of $7.8 million in grants to two companies — Posh Electric and VFlowTech — to explore cost-effective solutions for energy storage systems (EES).

EES refers to a device or group of devices that are capable of storing energy in order to supply electrical energy at a later time. In an Oct 23 announcement, EMA says EES plays an important role in supporting the adoption of more solar energy as it mitigates the intermittency of renewable energy sources by storing and discharging energy when required, and can also play a role in mitigating power supply disruptions.

Posh Electric is trialling the use of sodium-ion batteries in EES. Sodium is more naturally abundant than lithium, making it a potentially cheaper alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries in future, according to EMA.

The sodium-ion batteries could enable the shift of electricity demand by storing electricity during peak periods and releasing it during times of peak demand. The technology has not yet been deployed in Singapore and the trial will evaluate the performance of batteries in local climate. 

Meanwhile, VFlowTech is studying the potential for locating EES underground, which minimises the land required. This study will also test the use of a lithium-ion (LI) and vanadium-flow (VF) hybrid battery system. 

These battery systems have their respective strengths — lithium-ion batteries have high energy density, while vanadium-flow batteries are suitable for long duration storage and have a reduced fire risk. 

“A hybrid system offers the potential for an integrated solution, using LIBs for quick-response ancillary services and VFBs for extended backup storage,” says EMA.

“As Singapore expands solar deployment, energy storage systems will become more important to enhance grid resilience and ensure power system stability. I welcome the development of energy storage systems that are safe, cost-effective and space-efficient,” says EMA CEO Puah Kok Keong.