AREVA and Schneider Electric sign an R&D cooperation agreement in energy storage

AREVA and Schneider Electric have signed an R&D agreement to develop a new energy storage solution, called the flow battery in order to produce and store electricity by combining hydrobromic acid and hydrogen. 

Funded by the European Union*, the project aims to optimize the existing 50 kW flow battery prototype designed by EnStorage** to a 150 kW demonstration module. Under the cooperation agreement, both companies will test the flow battery technology under real conditions. The aim is to deliver a competitive and highly efficient solution for the integration of renewable energies.

AREVA will lead the project, manufacturing, integrating and installing the storage solution while Schneider Electric will design, manufacture and install the complementary power conversion system.

Louis-François Durret, AREVA Renewables CEO, said: “The energy storage market is fast-moving and highly competitive. In order to meet the energy needs of tomorrow AREVA is diversifying its technology portfolio with the flow battery technology and broadening its cooperation agreement with its partner, Schneider Electric.”

According to Frédéric Abbal, EVP of Schneider Electric’s Energy Business “This latest agreement with AREVA reinforces our commitment to develop safe, reliable, efficient, productive and green energy management solutions. This storage technology will provide the flexibility and stability needed to facilitate renewable integration.”

In February 2014, AREVA and Schneider Electric signed a strategic partnership agreement to market energy management and storage solutions based on hydrogen production and fuel cell technology with AREVA’s Greenergy Box™.

*As part of the KIC InnoEnergy FlowBox project to develop new technologies for sustainable energy
** EnStorage develops large scale energy storage solutions based on flow battery technology. www.enstorageinc.com