GridBeyond battery and EMS to prop UK glass facility for grid support

Dublin’s smart energy company GridBeyond has partnered with glass container manufacturing company O-I Gass to implement an 8MW battery energy storage solution and energy management system (EMS) at O-I’s Alloa, UK facility.

The 8MW battery system and supporting EMS system leverages artificial intelligence to significantly enhance energy efficiency, resilience and sustainability.

By strategically charging and discharging the battery based on grid conditions, GridBeyond’s AI-powered system helps to stabilise the local electricity grid during peak periods, increases O-I's resilience against brownouts, and improves the grid’s efficiency and sustainability.

It allows charging during times of high renewable energy availability and discharging energy to the site at peak hours of demand.

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With this approach, O-I is projected to conserve up to 240 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually at the Alloa facility once the project is operational.

Commenting in a release was Randy Burns, chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer for O-I: “Our energy strategy is grounded in resilience, innovation and transformation, to embrace cutting-edge solutions that are scalable and sustainable,” said

Added Michael Phelan, CEO at GridBeyond: “Through its AI platform, GridBeyond is a key player in supporting businesses’ energy transition and helping to deliver net zero. We are extremely proud of working with O-I and use our expertise to support the company to deliver a sustainable future.”

In addition, the battery system will increase power resiliency at the Alloa plant by balancing voltage dips on site and helping to prevent production equipment from tripping out.

Said Jim Rankine, O-I’s UK managing director: “From our use of second-generation biofuels, derived entirely from renewable waste materials to leveraging AI to maximise energy efficiency, we are taking a holistic approach to achieving balance across our stakeholder ecosystem.”