Virtual Power Systems (VPS), a creator of ‘Software Defined Power’ (SDP), has announced a strategic technology partnership with Natron Energy, a developer of disruptive battery products using Prussian Blue electrode chemistry. The agreement includes the integration of Natron Energy’s patented battery technology into VPS’ Intelligent Control of Energy (ICE) software platform to broaden SDP applications while further extending the hardware ecosystem of SDP-enabled solutions.
“As the creator of SDP, VPS collaborates with the most innovative data centre technology companies to reduce power-capacity pressures and optimise energy utilisation,” said Steve Houck, CEO of Virtual Power Systems. “By leveraging Natron Energy’s Prussian Blue battery technology, VPS brings the benefits of ‘smart power’ to data centre owners, operators and designers.”
Embedding Natron Energy’s sodium-ion battery technology into VPS’ ICE platform enables VPS to further address growing demands for more flexible power distribution. In particular, this latest technology integration will provide “micro-peak shaving,” where data centres require rapid injections of power for short periods of time while also requiring power to be recharged in an extremely quick timespan. Together, Natron Energy’s battery technology and VPS ICE can address dynamic power capacity changes caused by fluctuating workload spikes.
As a result, data centres can achieve superior power density, faster recharges and longer battery lifecycles. In addition, Natron Energy’s sodium-ion batteries do not require a waiting period between charges.
“Our strategic partnership with VPS enables Natron Energy to bring the proven benefits associated with electric vehicles’ fast-charging solutions to the data centre,” said Jack Pouchet, VP of Sales, Natron Energy. “Our sodium-ion batteries are ideally suited for demanding data centre applications as they can endure tens of thousands of deep discharge cycles yet can be fully charged in eight minutes.”
The VPS-Natron Energy solution will be available in Q4 2019. In the meantime, the partners have developed an SDP demonstration unit incorporating ICE and a Natron sodium-ion battery. The configuration is ready for hands-on testing and evaluation upon request at VPS’ headquarters.
