THE Technological Institute of the Philippines is working with Aboitiz Power Corporation to provide an environment for the small and large scale testing of one of its Battery Energy Storage System projects.

The deal was initiated in April 2022 but was formalized only last January this year by virtue of a research collaboration agreement signed by AboitizPower and TIP through the latter’s Technopreneurship and Collaborative Applied Research thrust.

BESS is an energy reserve facility that optimizes batteries to stockpile excess electricity during periods of oversupply from power generating plants or devices, so it can still be used by consumers later on.

It is part of TIP’s target deliverables for the Advanced Batteries Center, a joint venture with the University of the Philippines-Diliman funded by the Department of Science and Technology.

“This partnership enables us to help our nation make the most of its energy resources in a sustainable, rather than exploitative, manner that will support a corresponding economic upward transition,” TIP TechnoCoRe principal researcher Dr. Drandreb Earl Juanico said.

Research for the BESS project begun with a pilot study in an undisclosed location. Further studies are expected after confirmatory tests reveal more insights into sustainable energy storage with readily accessible materials and technology.

It is part of the T.I.P. target deliverables for the Advanced Batteries Center, which is a joint venture with the University of the Philippines-Diliman and funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) under its NICER (Niche Centers in the Region through R&D) program.

The DOST-Niche Centers in the Region through R&D Advanced Batteries Center seeks to capitalize on the potential of using batteries to boost the Philippines’ gradual shift towards renewable energy. TIP engaged in the program to develop its own battery storage technologies using its DC House project.

AboitizPower extended support to the initial phases of testing for the DC House by donating solar modules, charge controllers, and other materials to increase the amount of electricity collected through photovoltaic cells installed on the said facility. The next phase of the project will be a larger-scale application and testing of the technology, which will be done in parallel with the business case study for its possible commercialization.

AboitizPower Vice President for Innovation and Digital Transformation Chat Balita said the partnership embodies the power of collaboration and innovation in pursuing sustainable energy solutions.

“Together with TIP, we aim to revolutionize energy storage systems, ensuring a greener and more energy-efficient future for our nation,” she said.