Amazon has partnered with Swiss startup Unbound Potential to pilot advanced battery energy storage systems (BESS) at its European logistics centers. This collaboration aims to tackle the challenge of limited solar energy utilization in facilities that operate around the clock, moving Amazon closer to its goal of powering fulfillment centers entirely with renewable energy.
During the pilot phase, Amazon and Unbound Potential will work closely to install and optimize the BESS units within the logistics centers. The partnership involves providing feedback, conducting rigorous testing, and offering troubleshooting support to ensure seamless integration with Amazon’s operations. Upon successful completion, the companies will assess environmental impacts, financial viability, and overall effectiveness to determine the potential for expanding the technology to other sites as part of a long-term partnership.
Unbound Potential specializes in a novel membrane-less redox flow battery technology. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, their batteries do not require a membrane, which significantly reduces costs and maintenance.
CEO Taylor of Unbound Potential stated, “The benefits of our battery solution can potentially fit perfectly with Amazon’s storage needs. Compared to conventional redox flow batteries, our membrane-less system allows for lower maintenance despite significantly lower investment costs. Our next goal is to scale up the technology so that we can offer our systems on an industrial scale.”
Researchers have shown the technology to be effective in laboratory settings; however, Unbound Potential claims to be the first to achieve membrane-free redox flow battery construction at an industrial scale.
Unbound Potential claims their batteries can endure over 10,000 charging cycles, lasting at least twice as long as standard lithium-ion batteries. Achieving membrane-free redox flow batteries at an industrial scale significantly advances energy storage solutions.
Participation in the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator, a program supporting startups focused on sustainable innovation, facilitated Unbound Potential’s partnership with Amazon. This involvement provided resources and exposure to align their technology with Amazon’s sustainability goals.
Amazon has been increasingly investing in renewable energy and energy storage technologies. In May, the company launched its first combined solar and battery storage project—the 150MW Baldy Mesa solar installation paired with a 75MW battery storage system near San Bernardino, California. Additionally, Amazon is developing ten more solar energy projects with battery storage across California and Arizona, representing nearly 1.5 gigawatts of battery energy storage capacity.
Source: DCD