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LG Chem has announced the launch of its next generation residential battery storage system, which has been redesigned both internally and externally leaving a newly developed battery cell.
Available from the third quarter of 2016, the new RESU models come with the capacities to generate from 3.3 to 9.8 kilowatt hours (kWh) in the low-voltage and 7 to 9.8 kWh in the high-voltage variation. With a battery from the RESU series, users can save on energy costs by utilising solar generated power in the evenings.
Changhwan Choi, Manager for LG Chem’s Business Development sat down with Electronics News to discuss the new RESU series in further detail:
1. What is new/unique about the new battery storage systems on offer by LG Chem?
The next generation RESU series is completely redesigned, both technically and aesthetically. At the center there is a newly developed battery cell, produced with a Lamination and Stacking process, that lasts longer and provides a higher energy output. The previous model was the most energy dense product available on the market but thanks to the new advancements and design, the next generation RESU series supersedes its predecessor, not just in technology but with smaller dimensions and a lighter weight.
2. How important is it to offer flexibility and choice to the consumer in relation to the battery that they need?
Through extensive feedback from LG Chem’s customers and installers, we learned that flexibility and choice are the main characteristics that come to mind when in search for a battery. The previous model sometimes restricted homeowners because if installed in a small garage or basement problems with temperature, water/rain and dust could arise. The concept behind LG Chem’s next generation RESU series is flexibility, in terms of location, installation (wall-mount or free-stand) and also choice of different capacity options and inverters. Consumers have different levels of needs, some just want to supplement their grid energy use to help reduce cost, while others who live in remote areas are fully dependent on energy storage. With the previous RESU model, consumers were restricted by choice, but by introducing a RESU series that can be installed inside or outside and that has low and high-volt options gives them that flexibility to utilise home energy storage on their terms.
3. What does this new range offer to the Australian market?
With the phasing out of Feed-in-Tariffs (FiT) and electricity grid prices continuing to increase the next generation RESU series will give Australian consumers the power to choose how they consume energy. It comes back to our concept of flexibility. LG Chem see extensive potential in the Australian market, thanks to its sunny climate, high electricity prices and solar panels equal to Australian citizens. We are continually looking at how to best meet the needs of the market by producing the best energy storage system that offers the best ROI and provides homeowners the flexibility and choice they want.
4. How is the future looking for LG Chem’s growth in 2016? Has there been a major shift in the past year or so?
What we are seeing at LG Chem is that Australian consumers are becoming more aware of the benefits of energy storage systems. Since entering the market we have sold about 1,000 units and are on track to reach our target sales of 3,000 units. With the introduction of this next generation RESU series we expect sales to be boosted thanks to its flexibility towards every consumer.