In June, a fuel delivery mishap at a Johns Hopkins Hospital site resulted in 2,000 gallons of diesel spilling into Baltimore’s harbor. As city officials rushed to address the situation, they encountered a significant issue: lack of reliable power at the cleanup location.
Typically, such emergencies prompt the use of fossil-fuel generators. However, city leaders aimed for a greener solution to manage the diesel spill. They contacted Scott Calhoun, COO of Power Up Connect. This Baltimore-based company is developing mobile battery systems capable of providing sufficient energy for an entire hospital or, in this case, supporting a harbor cleanup effort.
This initiative is part of a broader trend where various groups are creating mobile battery systems to meet substantial electricity demands. For instance, Volvo produces mobile battery systems to recharge its all-electric construction equipment, while Tesla has dispatched batteries to enhance the performance of its EV Supercharging stations during peak usage periods.
Mobile battery systems are essentially portable versions of battery energy storage systems (BESS). Historically, BESS has been utilized in stationary setups to store grid-scale electricity, aiding in balancing supply and demand, such as capturing solar energy for nighttime use or providing backup power during outages. Recent advancements in lithium-ion battery technology now allow megawatt-level power to be transported via semi trucks.
Why Are Automakers Pursuing Mobile BESS?
Power Up Connect began in 2008 by offering small power stations for phone charging at events. As demand evolved, the company ramped up to create trailers that can chain together multiple lithium-ion batteries, each offering a 90-kilowatt-hour capacity—slightly larger than those found in an entry-level Lucid Air electric sedan.
Volvo recently introduced all-electric heavy construction machinery like loaders and excavators, capable of performing comparably to their fossil-fuel counterparts. Given the need for charging at job sites, Volvo is also developing mobile BESS solutions for this purpose, leveraging technology from its electric semi truck line.
Can Mobile BESS Support Remote Industrial Operations?
The versatility of mobile BESS could benefit numerous industries. For instance, forestry operations frequently traverse remote locations lacking power, and mining operations could significantly reduce hazardous emissions through electrification. “The push for zero emissions in underground mining is a strong motivator for innovation,” says Darren Tasker of Volvo Penta.
Additionally, mobile BESS presents a cost-effective option for organizations that may lack the necessary funds for permanent electric charging stations. Temporary mobile solutions can be a less risky exploratory step for adopting electrification, which many companies, including those using electric garbage trucks and forklifts at ports, are already implementing.
As battery technology improves and costs decrease, the potential for off-grid EV charging stations grows. For example, Tesla recently installed a battery and solar setup to power an off-grid Supercharger station in California, capable of servicing over 80 EVs simultaneously.
However, the primary challenge for mobile BESS manufacturers is cost. Prices can reach up to $1,000 per kilowatt-hour, making temporary solutions more cost-effective than constructing charging stations, but affordability must improve for broader adoption. Following Baltimore’s diesel spill, city officials resorted to traditional generators for a quick fix. Nonetheless, discussions are underway with Power Up Connect for potential future emergencies utilizing mobile battery solutions.
