UPStart

UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) battery systems are deployed in commercial buildings and infrastructure sites throughout the UK to provide energy security in the event of a power supply outage. The UK electricity transmission network, operated by National Grid Ltd, needs more balancing capacity. With the addition of a suitable control device, a UPS system can provide network balancing services while providing the UPS owner with a new revenue stream. Swanbarton Ltd is looking for support to make a first commercial deployment of the MSM control device, that enables UPS systems to provide for balancing services. This will be the first deployment of such a control device for a UPS system. Swanbarton has developed MSM (Micro Storage Manager), a control device which has already been demonstrated in a trial with a UPS system. Demand Response Aggregators provide National Grid with balancing services today, but using equipment other than UPS battery systems. Upside Energy Ltd has expressed interest in purchasing some MSM devices from Swanbarton in order to control UPS systems to deliver network balancing services. Swanbarton wants to act as a supplier to Upside Energy, and other Demand Response Aggregators, but needs to: - Develop a Business Plan for the supply of MSM devices for UPS control. This will include planning how MSM devices can be produced in volume at commercially viable prices. - Make First Commercial Deployments with Upside Energy (at a small number of sites) to prove that MSM delivers value in a commercial environment. UPStart is a small project that could make a big difference. The award of this contract to Swanbarton Ltd will support UK R&D and the exploitation of UK owned intellectual property, with minimal spending on the procurement of capital equipment.