BALTIMORE – In June, a diesel spill of 2,000 gallons into Baltimore’s harbor presented a unique challenge for cleanup crews: a lack of reliable power at the waterfront site.
Mobile battery systems are revolutionizing emergency response and industrial operations, offering clean power where traditional generators fall short.
- Mobile battery energy storage systems (BESS) are scaling up to meet large electricity demands.
- Automakers like Volvo and Tesla are developing mobile BESS for construction equipment and EV charging stations.
- Improvements in lithium-ion battery technology enable megawatt-level power to be transported on semi trucks.
- Industries like forestry and mining could benefit from portable, zero-emission power solutions.
- Cost remains a barrier for widespread adoption, though prices are expected to decrease.
When the city needed power for a massive diesel spill cleanup, officials sought alternatives to fossil-fuel generators. Scott Calhoun, chief operating officer of Baltimore-based Power Up Connect, was contacted to provide a cleaner solution. Power Up Connect develops mobile battery units capable of powering entire hospitals or, in this case, energizing a harbor cleanup crew.
This development highlights a growing trend of companies creating mobile battery systems to address significant electricity needs. Volvo, for instance, utilizes such systems to charge its all-electric excavators and loaders. Tesla has also deployed mobile battery units to bolster its EV Supercharging stations during peak demand.
Mobile BESS: Power on the Go
Mobile BESS units are essentially transportable versions of stationary battery energy storage systems. Traditionally, BESS has been used to store grid-scale electricity, balancing supply and demand by saving solar energy for nighttime use or providing backup power during outages. Advancements in lithium-ion battery chemistry and engineering have made it possible to move megawatt-level power via semi trucks, opening doors for cleaner, large-scale electricity for applications previously reliant on fossil-fuel generators.
Automakers Embrace Mobile Power
Power Up Connect began in 2008 by providing portable power stations for charging phones at events. The company later scaled up to support needs like recharging power wheelchairs. Today, its trailer-based system can link up to 10 lithium-ion batteries, each with a 90-kilowatt-hour capacity.
Volvo has been at the forefront of electrifying heavy construction equipment, offering electric loaders and excavators that match the performance of their fossil-fuel counterparts. To support these machines, Volvo is developing mobile BESS solutions for on-site charging. Darren Tasker, a vice president at Volvo Penta, explained that this expertise stems from the company’s development of electric semi-trucks, which use advanced battery chemistries to store substantial energy.
Tasker noted that the progress in lithium-ion batteries, particularly using nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA) with aluminum cathodes, has enabled the creation of 90-kWh transportable batteries. He stated that two six-packs of these units could fit onto a semi truck, delivering over a megawatt of power wherever needed. These batteries can be taken to a charging depot overnight and returned to a job site the next day, fitting for the constantly evolving nature of construction sites.
Volvo is also exploring lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries for future applications.
The Volvo PU500 BESS offers a capacity of 540 kWh and can charge up to 3 heavy-duty trucks or 20 cars daily.
Powering Remote Industries
The versatility of mobile BESS extends to industries like forestry and mining, which often operate in remote locations without reliable power. Electrifying mining equipment is particularly attractive, as it eliminates dangerous emissions that require extensive ventilation in underground operations. Tasker emphasized the strong demand for electrifying underground mining machines, calling zero emissions a significant driver for technological advancement.
Mobile BESS also presents an attractive option for businesses hesitant to invest heavily in permanent electric charging infrastructure. Testing electrification with temporary battery solutions is less risky than the significant upfront cost of building permanent electrical systems. Volvo clients are using these mobile charging stations to support electric garbage trucks, forklifts, and loaders at ports.
As battery technology improves and costs decline, off-grid consumer EV charging stations are becoming more feasible. Tesla recently installed a battery and solar array to power an off-grid Supercharger station in California, capable of charging over 80 EVs simultaneously.
What is the main challenge for mobile BESS? The primary hurdle for mobile BESS developers is cost, with prices potentially reaching $1,000 per kilowatt-hour for power. While still cheaper than building a permanent station, these costs need to decrease for wider adoption.
Despite the initial push to use generators for the Baltimore diesel spill, city officials are now discussing the use of mobile batteries with Power Up Connect for future emergency response scenarios. This shift signals a growing recognition of the potential for portable, clean energy solutions.
