Missouri S&T Install Microgrid System To Power Student-Occupied Homes
Two lead battery microgrid systems have been installed at the EcoVillage at Missouri University of Science and Technology (S&T). The EcoVillage has been named a ‘living laboratory’ due the availability of solar-powered homes that have been designed and constructed by S&T students, with the aim of capturing results from smart living research.
To celebrate the installation of the microgrids, Missouri S&T scheduled a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the EcoVillage last week. The microgrids were installed by the Missouri S&T Micro Grid Industrial Consortium with the main purpose of testing advancements in lead battery energy storage capacity. As such, the lead battery technologies hold a huge potential in renewable energy in the future. Stored electricity from the system will be supplied to two student-occupied houses, with the systems using charging algorithms from a cloud-based control system.
This research into the application of advanced lead batteries in stationary grid-tied applications will be novel, as most similar research has been conducted with lithium batteries. Lead batteries are well-known for being a reliable rechargeable energy source. As a result, the International Lead Association has been quick to praise the fact that most lead is now produced through a recycling process rather than through mining. Therefore, this rechargeable battery becomes an excellent energy source for circular economies.
The project has received positive comments and support from key players in the industry such as EnerSys, Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium (ALABC) and Ameren. The project is estimated to be completed by 2021.