B-READY brings together industrial players, grid companies and research communities to create advanced technological solutions, smart control systems and new business models that make batteries a key resource in both normal operation and various emergency situations.
Grid companies plan to invest around NOK 170 billion in the power grid between 2024 and 2030. B-READY will investigate whether battery systems can cut this investment need by up to NOK 8.5 billion, while also strengthening preparedness for when the grid fails.
The project is owned by Pixii, with SINTEF Energy as project leader and research partner. The main goal of B-READY is to contribute to the green transition and security of supply in the power grid through technological, operational and business solutions for next-generation battery systems.
The project will research four innovation areas:
- Next-generation battery systems that can power critical infrastructure in island mode, with control systems for batteries, including algorithms for predictive maintenance, battery degradation and improved battery utilisation
- Data-driven algorithms for efficient operation of the power system
- Methodology and work processes for grid planning that account for batteries as an emergency preparedness measure, so that preparedness planning and grid planning are considered together and better capture the value of batteries
- Scenarios and frameworks for a grid with batteries, with a focus on security of supply in both normal and emergency situations. This includes operating strategies based on grid-forming battery systems that ensure economic efficiency in normal situations and greater resilience during emergencies, as well as business models that make it profitable for battery operators to contribute to preparedness.
Battery systems can supply power in what is known as island mode, independent of the main power grid. This independence is critical for geographically isolated areas and in crisis situations, and the project will test battery systems in both the lab and the field to ensure that the transition between normal operation and island mode works as intended.