Sesame Solar, a new firm, has introduced nanogrids designed for usage in disaster-ravaged areas. Not only do they range in length from 10 to 40 feet, but they can also be transported using a forklift, crane, truck, rail, ship, cargo plane, or even a helicopter.
The retractable solar array is electronically unfolded to use the nanogrid, and the system can begin generating electricity within fifteen minutes of setup, according to the business. The systems can be adapted to the needs of the community, such as in medical facilities, for water purification, or to provide communication services.
Previous off-grid nanogrids were powered by diesel, which increased pollution in places already impacted by severe weather. The Sesame solution incorporates solar energy and renewable hydrogen. Electrolyzers produce green hydrogen within the nanogrid, with the retractable solar array providing the energy to charge the lithium ferro phosphate battery storage system and make green hydrogen.
The green hydrogen is then stored at low pressure (less than 300 psi) in onboard solid-state hydrogen tanks, which Sesame Solar claims can be carried easily and safely, and which fuel the onboard hydrogen fuel cell, which also charges the batteries. As soon as the batteries are fully charged, the H2 Fuel cell will shut off. Additionally, small wind turbines can be added.
A built-in integrated energy management system ensures that the resources are optimizing the available energy by coordinating the operation of solar and green hydrogen. The power of the batteries is handled by the inverter and electronics. When the batteries are at 35 percent capacity, the hydrogen fuel cell supplies the inverter with power. Electrolysis is initiated simultaneously with the activation of the hydrogen fuel cell, thus the solid-state hydrogen storage tanks are refilled while hydrogen is used by the fuel cell.
After the solar array has recharged the batteries, the hydrogen fuel cell shuts down. Electrolysis continues until the solid-state hydrogen storage tanks are full, at which point it also ceases, rendering the nanogrid energy-independent and ready for the next severe weather disaster with continuous, 100 percent fossil fuel-free power generation.
The retractable solar array employs energy-dense, thin-film solar panels that provide between 3 kW and 20 kW of solar electricity, with total battery storage ranging from 15 kWh to 150 kWh, with 40 kWh being the norm. The nanogrids are designed and sized to meet peak and average demand and to deliver sustainable, uninterrupted power.
According to Sesame Solar, the U.S. Air Force, major telecommunications firms, and disaster response organizations are utilizing its nanogrids, which have helped to maintain vital communications online at infrastructure sites or by powering mobile Wi-Fi stations if infrastructure fails. The nanogrids can be used to charge last-mile mobility EVs, such as e-bikes and e-scooters–practical ways of transportation when roads are blocked–during emergency response situations. According to Sesame Solar, nanogrids can be utilized and repurposed for twenty years.
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