‘Inverterless’ BESS installed in Australia: Relectrify delivers AC power directly from cells

Melbourne-headquartered battery tech company Relectrify has installed its first 250 kVA / 1,089 kWh usable AC1 battery energy storage system (BESS) in Renmark, South Australia in collaboration with YES Energy.

Powered by its CellSwitch technology, the installation is a step toward commercialization of the AC1, supported by a $25 million (USD 17.6 million) fund from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), through the More Energy Project.

The AC1 has nearly 4,000 individual battery cells in it, which Relectrify monitors and independently controls to maximize safety, daily performance and asset longevity, the company said.

The AC1 is inverterless, instead using a battery management system (BMS) that controls each of the 4,000 battery cells to directly produce AC power. There are several potential advantages to the technology through using less complex components.

In addition, the company says the design reduces battery degradation, which the company said can deliver 20% more energy over its lifetime, helping to lower energy storage costs.  

Relectrify Chief Executive Officer Jeff Renaud has described the AC1 as being designed to fill the “missing middle” of commercial and industrial energy users in Australia’s energy transition.

“It gives large energy users the ability to take control of their energy use and reduce costs, all while supporting Australia’s transition to renewables,” he said.

“ARENA’s support enables Relectrify to bring the game-changing AC1 BESS to market at scale and we’re thrilled that it is now available to Australian businesses.”

The company earlier scaled to offer the AC1 in Taiwan.