Grid & Utility

Safety is a top concern for utilities and grid operators, especially when deploying BESS in densely populated areas or near critical infrastructure. Lithium-ion batteries pose significant safety risks due to their flammable electrolytes and susceptibility to thermal runaway, a condition where the battery overheats, potentially leading to fires or explosions. This is particularly dangerous in urban areas or critical infrastructure settings where emergency response could be hindered. Moreover, lithium-ion systems can be very hard to permit and approve because of these fire risks, limiting deployment options.

Alsym Green addresses these safety concerns with its non-flammable chemistry, which eliminates the risk of thermal runaway and ensures safe operation even in extreme conditions. In locations where lithium-ion systems may not be permitted, such as urban centers, underground facilities, or near critical infrastructure, Alsym Green provides a safe alternative.

Furthermore, if damaged or submerged in salt water—such as during extreme weather events—Alsym Green batteries will not ignite or cause hazardous conditions in the event that salt deposits bridge cell terminals. This feature is particularly valuable for coastal areas or flood-prone regions, where utilities require storage systems that can withstand environmental hazards without creating additional risks. In contrast, the chemistry of lithium-ion batteries makes them susceptible to fire or explosion if submerged in salt water. This has the potential to turn a disaster into an even bigger disaster.

Renewable energy project developers and utilities are constantly seeking ways to reduce costs, especially as they scale up the deployment of renewable energy sources. In an industry where cost efficiency is crucial, leveled cost of storage (LCOS) is a key factor in evaluating the financial viability of energy storage systems. LCOS measures the total cost of installing and operating a storage system over its lifetime, divided by the amount of energy stored.

Alsym Green delivers lower LCOS than other non-lithium technologies and is competitive with lithium-ion thanks to its high energy density, low cell costs, high RTE, and low self-discharge. Alsym Green’s wide discharge range (from 2 to 110 hours) and fast recharge times (as little as 4 hours) enhance operational efficiency. These features allow grid operators and renewable energy developers to optimize the use of stored energy. Furthermore, Alsym Green’s low maintenance requirements and high reliability contribute to lower operational expenses, making it an economically attractive option for grid-scale applications.

By lowering the LCOS, Alsym Green helps renewable energy developers and utilities make their projects more financially sustainable, enabling broader adoption of clean energy technologies and accelerating the transition to a decarbonized grid. With its use of domestically sourced materials and U.S.-based manufacturing, Alsym Green systems may qualify for tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) related to domestic content. This makes it an even more financially attractive option for utilities and developers looking to reduce project costs while supporting local supply chains and meeting government incentives for renewable energy storage.

Alsym Green BESS helps utilities increase profitability through rate arbitrage, peak shaving, and reduced renewable curtailment. By storing energy during off-peak periods when prices are low and discharging it during peak demand when prices are higher, utilities can optimize energy sales and take advantage of fluctuating rates. Peak shaving reduces the need to purchase expensive power from generators during high-demand periods, lowering operational costs. Additionally, Alsym Green enables utilities to capture excess renewable energy and store it, reducing curtailment and allowing for increased renewable integration, which maximizes the value of solar and wind assets.

For utilities, reliability matters more than anything else. Reliable energy supply is crucial for maintaining the trust of ratepayers, satisfying shareholders, and meeting regulatory requirements. Any disruption in power delivery can have far-reaching consequences, from damaging grid infrastructure to affecting critical services like hospitals, data centers, and residential power. Ensuring continuous power supply is not only essential for maintaining economic stability but also for meeting the energy needs of millions of constituents who rely on uninterrupted service.

Energy storage systems play a critical role in improving grid reliability. They allow utilities to store excess energy generated during periods of low demand and discharge it when demand spikes. This helps stabilize the grid, preventing outages during peak times, and ensures that renewable energy sources like solar and wind can be used efficiently, even when weather conditions fluctuate. By offering on-demand energy during grid failures or disruptions, battery energy storage systems (BESS) enhance grid resilience, improving the utility’s ability to meet both planned and unforeseen demand surges.

Alsym Green is an optimal choice for ensuring grid reliability due to its non-flammable, non-toxic design and ability to operate safely in both urban and industrial environments. Its wide operating temperature range ensures performance in diverse climates, reducing the risk of overheating or failure. Alsym Green’s high round-trip efficiency and low self-discharge means that stored energy is readily available when needed, further boosting grid reliability by maximizing energy retention and reducing losses during discharge cycles.

Alsym Green is the best non-lithium option for utilities seeking alternatives to traditional lithium-ion systems. It offers up to 10x higher energy density than other non-lithium technologies, allowing utilities to store more energy in a smaller footprint. This is particularly beneficial for urban and constrained spaces. Alsym Green’s lower cost and lack of need for complex pumps and other ancillary systems make it easier and more cost-effective to install and maintain. Additionally, its flexible discharge capability (2 to 110 hours) offers utilities the adaptability needed for a range of grid support functions, from short-duration frequency regulation to long-duration peak demand management. This makes Alsym Green a superior choice for utilities aiming to enhance grid reliability while reducing operational costs and environmental impact.

As the effects of climate change become more pronounced, energy infrastructure must be resilient enough to withstand increasingly severe weather events. From hurricanes and floods to heatwaves and wildfires, climate change poses significant challenges to power grids and energy storage systems.

Alsym Green’s non-flammable design provides a safe and reliable backup power source in disaster-prone areas, allowing utilities to maintain critical grid operations without the risk of fires or explosions. By providing a flexible, wide-duration source of backup power, Alsym Green helps utilities ensure grid stability even during extended outages. This is particularly important in areas vulnerable to hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, where maintaining power for essential services—such as hospitals, water treatment plants, and emergency response centers—is critical. Additionally, Alsym Green’s ability to be deployed in areas where lithium-ion systems may not be allowed provides greater flexibility for utilities looking to enhance grid resilience in high-risk regions. Traditional lithium-ion batteries require carefully controlled operating conditions to function effectively. As temperatures rise, more input energy will be used to control those conditions, reducing system efficiency.

To make matters worse, lithium-ion battery systems can actually contribute to scale of disasters in areas prone to storms, floods, or wildfires. Submersion or exposure to salt air can create short circuits that lead to fires, and lithium-ion batteries are highly likely to auto-ignite when exposed to the levels of heat produced by wildfires. The non-flammable design of Alsym Green ensures that energy storage systems pose no fire or explosion risk in the event of a system failure or external damage. This critical safety feature means first responders can focus on rescue and recovery efforts rather than addressing hazardous lithium-ion battery fires or explosions.

• Grid Firming: Alsym Green offers critical support through grid firming, which stabilizes the grid by storing excess renewable energy during peak generation times (e.g., sunny midday hours for solar or windy periods for wind farms) and discharging it when renewable generation is low (e.g., at night or during calm weather). This allows for firm capacity—reliable, consistent power that can be dispatched whenever needed. By providing this firm capacity, Alsym Green ensures that energy supply remains steady, even as renewable generation fluctuates, allowing grid operators to meet demand without relying on fossil fuel-powered peaker plants.
• Peak Shaving and Rate Arbitrage: Alsym Green supports peak shaving by storing energy during off-peak hours when electricity demand is low and prices are cheaper, then discharging it during peak demand periods to reduce the need for expensive grid power. This helps utilities lower their peak demand charges and manage load more efficiently. For rate arbitrage, Alsym Green allows utilities and operators to store energy when prices are low and sell or use it when prices rise, maximizing financial returns from fluctuating energy markets. Its flexible, wide-duration storage, low self-discharge, and high round-trip efficiency ensures that energy can be stored and utilized cost-effectively, enhancing profitability.
• Frequency Regulation: Alsym Green offers rapid-response capabilities that help balance supply and demand by absorbing or releasing energy to maintain the grid’s frequency within a specified range. This ensures smoother grid operations and enhances efficiency, particularly in regions with high renewable energy penetration. Unlike fossil-fuel generators, which can take time to ramp up, Alsym Green responds almost instantly to fluctuations, providing the agility that today’s grids demand.
• Storage as a Transmission Asset: Alsym Green systems can also function as transmission assets by relieving pressure on transmission networks. In regions where transmission infrastructure is constrained, strategically placing energy storage like Alsym Green can alleviate grid congestion by storing energy when demand is low and delivering it when demand is high. This mitigates the need for costly transmission infrastructure upgrades, helping utilities deliver renewable energy more efficiently without the limitations of the existing transmission network.
• Renewable Curtailment: Alsym Green systems reduce the need for renewable curtailment by storing excess energy generated from solar or wind during periods of overproduction. Instead of curtailing, or wasting, this energy, Alsym Green captures it for later use when renewable generation drops or demand increases. With a high round-trip efficiency of 92% and flexible discharge options, Alsym Green ensures that renewable energy is maximized, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing grid reliability while supporting a cleaner energy transition. This approach enables utilities to optimize their renewable assets and reduce waste.
• Urban Energy Storage: In densely populated areas where fire risks prevent the installation of lithium-ion BESS, Alsym Green offers a safe alternative. Its non-flammable design makes it ideal for installation in residential areas, underground substations, or commercial buildings, providing reliable energy storage without the need for expensive safety measures like fire suppression systems. This enables utilities to deploy energy storage solutions close to demand centers, improving grid efficiency and reducing transmission losses.
• Coastal and Flood-Prone Regions: Utilities in coastal or flood-prone areas face unique challenges when it comes to energy storage. Alsym Green’s ability to withstand submersion without the risk of fire makes it a reliable option for regions vulnerable to flooding or saltwater exposure. By deploying Alsym Green in these areas, utilities can ensure continuous energy storage and delivery without the hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries.
• Renewable Energy Integration: As utilities continue to integrate renewable energy sources into their grids, the need for reliable energy storage becomes increasingly important. Alsym Green’s high RTE and long-duration discharge capabilities allow grid operators to store excess energy generated by solar and wind farms and release it during periods of low generation or high demand. This helps stabilize the grid and reduces the need for fossil fuel-powered peaker plants, contributing to both cost savings and emissions reductions.
• Critical Infrastructure: In regions prone to extreme weather events, critical infrastructure such as hospitals, emergency response centers, and water treatment plants require reliable backup power. Alsym Green’s ability to provide extended-duration energy storage during grid outages ensures that these essential services remain operational when they are needed most. The system’s rapid recharge time also means it can quickly return to full capacity after an outage, providing a continuous source of backup power.