Saft Sunica.plus rechargeable nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries have been specified by Terracon Energy gmbh to provide the vital energy buffer for an innovative, self-contained, transportable ‘Energy Container’ designed to provide an almost instant source of up to 10 kW of renewable energy in remote locations.

The Terracon Energy Container integrates a complete hybrid renewable power system - comprising wind generator, photovoltaic (PV) modules, diesel generator, batteries and associated control and monitoring systems and inverters – within a standard 6.1 m ISO shipping container. On arrival at site the container simply has to be craned into the required position. There is no need for a base plate and the container also acts as the foundation for the 15 m high wind generator. This makes the power system fast to set up and it can be ready to produce electricity in less than a day.

The Energy Container generates electricity from the sun and wind and, if necessary, supplements this with the diesel generator. The Saft Sunica.plus battery system provides the vital balance between the energy generated and the energy consumed to ensure continuity of supply. So it acts as a buffer to make up the difference when the available renewable energy is less than the demand, it also supplies all the energy needed when there is no renewable energy available and stores the excess energy when demand falls below the output from the wind generator and PV modules. If needed, the battery is also recharged by the diesel generator.