ESG Energy Pod

The Challenge

ESG Energy envisaged the development of a multipurpose power station using only renewable energy sources. With such renewable energy subject to a vast array of weather conditions, the station, dubbed the Energy Pod, installed a ‘World First’ patented Hylink unit (Hydrogen Electrolyser using water splitter technology).

However, with most electrolysers used for these conversion processes needing a constant power supply the Pod needed to eradicate any unpredictability and have reliable sources to deliver optimum performance.

With the Energy Pod developed as a demonstration project for its HyLink which features solar and wind capabilities, it is envisioned of one day being a completely mobile or fixed source of renewable energy for use in any situation. With this in mind the need arose for the Pod to be a truly versatile solution transportable by helicopter to remote locations, emergency and disaster zones and Third World countries.

The Solution

To deliver on performance, the Energy Pod was designed to work in harmony with the environment, utilising wind, solar and hydro energy according to local site conditions. With the Pod requiring a constant power supply for its Hylink unit, the station had to account for areas which would not have enough supply from wind action.

To achieve this, ESG turned to Technico for the installation of 5 highly efficient Monocrystalline Premium Photovoltaic Panels designed by Mitsubishi Electric. Utilizing breakthrough technology these half-cut cells have a reduced area per cell, thus the amount of electrical current carried by each busbar is halved. As a result, a decrease in electrical resistance within these busbars allows a 2.5% increase in overall efficiency and a maximum output of 1.25kW for the Pod.

As a combination, the energy from both the wind turbines and solar panels can be used by the Hylink unit to convert water to hydrogen for use as a cooking gas. Any excess hydrogen gas can be stored in an above-ground cylinder or underground pipe work, thus forming a natural "earth battery" energy store which can later be generated back into electricity by using a fuel cell. Alternatively this energy can be stored within the self-contained lithium battery bank or transferred back into the mains grid.

The Monocrystalline Premium Photovoltaic Panels atop the Pod are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, such as in areas with high snowfall (having passed the IEC 61215 static loading test at 5400Pa). Subject not only to snow though, these panels and their intelligent design/high quality materials allow the pod to be safely deployed in areas with high salt concentration in the air*. And with each panel weighing 20kg, today’s modern helicopters barely notice the additional weight these panels add.