Northern Powergrid has announced it will run an energy storage trial involving electric vans in order to restore power to customers during a power cut.
As part of the two-year trial the network operator has partnered with energy storage companies Hyperdrive Innovation and Offgrid Energy.
According to the company up to three homes or a small community centre could be powered with just one van for 24 hours, even longer if those homes have domestic solar generation.
The first ‘Silent Power project’ vehicle will be on the streets of Northern Powergrid’s operating area this month.
Electricity from the Silent Power batteries aims to be more reliable than diesel generators, which can trip out – a particular problem for customers who have their own domestic generation.
Northern Powergrid currently deploys more than 2,500 diesel generators annually to provide temporary power restoration during planned and unplanned power cuts each year.
Read more: Utility Week