Chemical plants are some of the most energy-intensive industrial facilities, handling continuous processes that rely on stable, uninterrupted power to ensure safety, productivity, and efficiency. From the production of everyday materials like plastics and fertilizers to complex specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals, these plants often operate under extreme environmental conditions. Whether it’s maintaining the integrity of a cracking tower in a petrochemical facility producing ethylene, or ensuring precise temperatures for chemical reactions, any power disruption can result in dangerous situations, costly downtime, or compromised product quality.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) have become a key component in modern energy infrastructure, providing backup power and improving energy efficiency. However, traditional lithium-ion battery systems pose several challenges for the chemical industry, including fire hazards and performance degradation in extreme conditions. Alsym Green provides an innovative solution by offering a non-flammable, high-performance energy storage system that’s an ideal fit for the specific needs of chemical plants. With a safer, more reliable energy storage solution, chemical plant operators can ensure continuous operations while reducing costs and enhancing sustainability efforts.
Improved safety and reduced fire risk
Safety is a critical concern in chemical plants, which frequently handle volatile, flammable, and reactive substances such as ammonia, chlorine, benzene, ethylene, and methanol. Any fire or thermal event can lead to catastrophic consequences, particularly in processes that require high temperatures or the storage of hazardous materials. Lithium-ion batteries carry a significant risk of thermal runaway, where overheating or physical damage can result in fires or explosions.
Alsym Green eliminates these risks with its non-flammable chemistry, with no potential for thermal runaway or combustion. Safety is paramount in chemical plants, particularly in environments where exposure to high temperatures, chemicals, or mechanical stresses is unavoidable. By using Alsym Green, plant operators can mitigate one of the greatest risks posed by traditional battery systems and improve overall site safety.
In addition to its non-flammable design, Alsym Green operates within a broad temperature range without the need for extensive cooling systems. This allows it to function safely and reliably in chemical plants where extreme temperatures are often part of day-to-day operations.
Reducing energy costs
Energy costs represent a significant portion of operating expenses for chemical plants, especially in processes that require continuous high energy input, such as distillation, heating, cooling, and compression. Chemical plants often operate 24 hours a day, and the cost of electricity during peak hours can add substantial pressure to operational budgets. Additionally, reliance on diesel generators or fossil fuels for backup power adds further expense, both in terms of fuel costs and maintenance.
Alsym Green provides an effective solution for reducing energy costs through intelligent energy management. By enabling plants to store energy during off-peak periods—when electricity prices are lower—and discharge it during high-demand or peak pricing times, Alsym Green helps smooth out energy expenditures and reduce overall electricity bills. This process, known as peak shaving, ensures that chemical plants minimize their exposure to costly peak-demand charges, which are often a significant component of industrial electricity costs.
In addition to peak shaving, Alsym Green supports participation in demand response programs, where chemical plants can reduce or shift their energy usage during times of high grid demand in exchange for financial incentives. This not only generates additional revenue but also allows operators to contribute to grid stability without compromising production efficiency. The flexible discharge time (2 to 110 hours) of Alsym Green makes it well-suited for these programs, offering operators more control over when and how they use stored energy.
Moreover, Alsym Green’s low levelized cost of storage (LCOS) makes it a cost-effective solution for long-term energy management. Its fast charge times (as little as 4 hours) allow the system to be ready to store energy again quickly, ensuring continuous availability of low-cost energy. The system’s extended service life and low maintenance requirements further reduce operational expenses, making Alsym Green a financially attractive option for chemical plants looking to optimize their energy use and lower their total cost of ownership.
Energy reliability
Chemical plants often run critical processes that cannot be interrupted without significant risks to safety, product quality, and financial performance. For example, ammonia production in fertilizer manufacturing requires a stable supply of power to maintain the high pressures and temperatures needed for the Haber-Bosch process. Any power disruption can result in downtime, lost production, and potential equipment damage.
Alsym Green provides long-duration energy storage with discharge times ranging from 2 to 110 hours, ensuring that plants have reliable backup power in case of grid outages or energy fluctuations. This is crucial for maintaining continuous operations, whether it’s keeping a polymerization process on track or preventing equipment shutdowns in a pharmaceutical production line.
The BESS can also help improve power quality by reducing voltage fluctuations, surges, and harmonic distortions, which can damage sensitive equipment or lead to poor product quality. This is particularly important for plants that use precision equipment such as chemical reactors, compressors, and pumps. By ensuring consistent power delivery, Alsym Green reduces the risk of equipment damage and prolongs the life of critical machinery.
Furthermore, Alsym Green’s fast recharge time (as little as 4 hours) means the system is ready to provide backup power whenever needed, reducing downtime and increasing the plant’s overall resilience. Its long service life and low self-discharge rate also make it a cost-effective solution for chemical plants, helping operators lower their total cost of ownership while ensuring energy security.
Use cases
- Diesel Generator Replacement/Hybridization: Many chemical plants still rely on diesel generators for backup power, especially in regions with unreliable grid connections. However, diesel generators come with high fuel costs, emissions, and maintenance requirements. Alsym Green can either replace diesel generators entirely or be used in hybrid configurations to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. By integrating Alsym Green into the plant’s energy infrastructure, operators can cut operational costs, improve sustainability, and reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.
- Peak Shaving and Demand Response: Chemical plants often experience periods of high energy consumption, particularly during peak production times. Alsym Green allows plants to store energy during off-peak hours and discharge it during periods of high demand, helping to shave peak loads and reduce electricity costs. Additionally, Alsym Green supports participation in demand response programs, allowing plants to temporarily reduce grid consumption in exchange for financial incentives. This ensures that plants can respond flexibly to energy market conditions without interrupting critical processes.
- Power Quality Control: Compressors, reactors, and distillation units rely on a consistent and stable power supply to operate effectively. Power quality issues like voltage sags or surges can lead to equipment damage, process disruptions, and poor product quality. Alsym Green helps stabilize the power supply, mitigating fluctuations and ensuring that equipment operates smoothly. This reduces downtime, improves efficiency, and lowers maintenance costs.
- Renewable Energy Integration: As the chemical industry seeks to reduce its carbon footprint, many plants are turning to renewable energy sources like solar or wind. However, the intermittent nature of these energy sources can create challenges in maintaining a consistent power supply. Alsym Green provides the long-duration energy storage necessary to integrate renewable energy into a plant’s operations, ensuring that renewable power can be stored and used when needed, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering overall energy costs.
- Backup Power for Critical Systems: Chemical plants often have processes that cannot be interrupted without significant safety or financial risks. Alsym Green ensures that backup power is instantly available for critical systems, such as pumps, compressors, and ventilation systems. In the event of a grid outage or natural disaster, Alsym Green can keep essential systems running for extended periods, helping to maintain safety and operational stability until normal power is restored.
- Compliance to Regulatory Requirements: Alsym Green helps chemical plant operators comply with stringent regulatory requirements by offering a safer, non-flammable energy storage solution that reduces fire and explosion risks, which are critical concerns in hazardous environments. Its non-toxic materials minimize environmental hazards and simplify the process of meeting safety and environmental regulations, reducing the risk of incidents that could lead to costly fines or shutdowns.