Steel and Metals

Safety is a top concern for metal processing facilities, where high temperatures, molten metal, and heavy machinery create an inherently dangerous working environment. Traditional lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in energy storage, pose a fire risk due to the potential for thermal runaway—where overheating can lead to fires or explosions. In an industrial setting, a fire in the energy storage system could lead to equipment damage, production delays, and serious safety hazards for workers.

Alsym Green mitigates these safety risks with its non-flammable chemistry, which eliminates the possibility of thermal runaway. This makes it an ideal energy storage solution for steel mills and other metal processing plants, where safety is paramount. The system’s wide operational temperature range ensures that it can operate safely in the extreme heat or cold often present in metal manufacturing environments without the need for additional cooling or fire suppression systems.

By choosing Alsym Green, operators can deploy energy storage solutions with confidence, knowing that the system will not pose a fire hazard, even in proximity to high-temperature furnaces, rolling mills, or other heat-generating equipment. This reduces the need for costly fire prevention infrastructure and allows facilities to maintain safer, more efficient operations.

In the metals industry, power reliability and quality are crucial for ensuring smooth operations. Metal processing plants rely on a continuous, stable supply of electricity to power heavy equipment like furnaces, presses, and rolling mills. Any disruption in power supply can result in costly downtime, equipment damage, or interruptions in critical processes such as smelting, casting, or annealing. Voltage sags, surges, and harmonic distortions can also damage sensitive equipment and reduce product quality.

Alsym Green provides a reliable and consistent energy storage solution that helps regulate power quality and maintain a stable energy supply. The system’s ability to deliver long-duration energy storage—ranging from 2 to 110 hours—ensures that steel mills and metal processing facilities can continue to operate smoothly, even during grid disruptions or periods of high energy demand. This is especially important for processes like electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking, which requires large amounts of power in a short time to melt scrap metal and process raw materials.

Alsym Green’s energy storage solution also helps to smooth out voltage fluctuations and mitigate power quality issues, ensuring that sensitive equipment operates at optimal performance levels. By stabilizing power supply, Alsym Green reduces the risk of equipment damage, extends the lifespan of critical machinery, and improves overall operational efficiency. For facilities that rely on renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, Alsym Green ensures a stable power flow by storing excess renewable energy and discharging it when needed, allowing for seamless integration of renewables into metal processing operations.

The economic benefits of Alsym Green’s energy storage solution extend beyond safety and reliability. Steel mills and other metal processing facilities are constantly looking for ways to optimize energy consumption and reduce operational costs, particularly as energy prices fluctuate and sustainability goals become more urgent. Alsym Green delivers significant cost savings through several key mechanisms, including peak shaving, demand charge reduction, and participation in energy markets.

One of the primary economic benefits of Alsym Green is its ability to perform peak shaving, where energy is stored during periods of low demand (and lower electricity rates) and discharged during peak demand periods when electricity costs are highest. This helps metal processing facilities avoid costly demand charges, which can represent a substantial portion of their electricity bills. By reducing peak demand, operators can lower their overall energy costs without impacting production schedules or capacity.

Alsym Green also enables facilities to participate in demand response programs, where they can earn financial incentives by reducing energy consumption during times of high grid demand. By storing energy and using it during peak periods, operators can contribute to grid stability while generating additional revenue from energy markets.

Furthermore, Alsym Green’s low levelized cost of storage (LCOS) and long service life make it a cost-effective solution for metal processing facilities. The system’s minimal maintenance requirements and robust construction reduce operational expenses over time, allowing facilities to maximize their return on investment while improving energy efficiency. For metal producers aiming to meet sustainability goals, Alsym Green offers an economically viable path to integrating more renewable energy into their operations, reducing their carbon footprint, and enhancing competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market.

• Backup Power for Critical Operations: Metal processing facilities rely on uninterrupted power to operate critical equipment, such as electric arc furnaces, rolling mills, and extrusion presses. Alsym Green provides reliable backup power during grid outages, ensuring that essential systems remain operational and reducing the risk of costly downtime. For plants in regions prone to grid instability or natural disasters, Alsym Green offers the long-duration energy storage needed to maintain production continuity during extended outages.
• Peak Shaving and Demand Charge Reduction: With energy costs continuing to rise, peak shaving has become a valuable strategy for metal processors. Alsym Green enables facilities to store energy during off-peak hours when electricity rates are low and use it during periods of peak demand, effectively lowering energy bills. This helps steel mills and metal processing plants manage operational costs more effectively while reducing their reliance on grid power during peak periods.
• Renewable Energy Integration: Many metal processing facilities are looking to integrate renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, into their operations to reduce their carbon footprint and meet sustainability goals. Alsym Green supports this effort by storing excess renewable energy during periods of high generation and discharging it when needed. This allows metal processors to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, lower their carbon emissions, and contribute to a more sustainable energy future.
• Power Quality Control: Maintaining power quality is essential for protecting sensitive equipment in metal processing facilities. Alsym Green helps mitigate voltage sags, surges, and harmonic distortions, ensuring that equipment like induction furnaces, extrusion presses, and CNC machinery operate at peak efficiency. By stabilizing power supply, Alsym Green reduces equipment wear and tear, extends machinery life, and enhances product quality.
• Long-Term Energy Storage for Remote Operations: For metal processing plants located in remote or off-grid areas, reliable energy storage is essential for maintaining continuous operations. Alsym Green provides long-duration energy storage that allows remote facilities to operate independently from the grid, reducing reliance on diesel generators and lowering fuel consumption.