Clean-tech trailblazer Allye Energy, in conjunction with OST Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Science and Negal Engineering AG, has clinched a groundbreaking £650,000 bilateral research and development (R&D) grant. This collaboration, orchestrated by Innovate UK and Innosuisse, marks a pioneering effort in international business-led innovation, pooling expertise to craft the next generation of home energy storage systems.
The ambitious venture, known as the CURB (Compact Urban Battery Storage System) project, aims to address the unique energy needs of “generation rent” and apartment dwellers. The partnership, comprised of Allye, OST, and Negal, will leverage the funds to pioneer innovative power electronics, control systems, and battery hardware.
Allye Energy, recognized as the “Netflix of Energy Storage,” envisions its subscription service benefiting over 200 million households across Europe, including 28.2 million in the UK. The goal is to significantly reduce electricity bills, potentially by up to 50%.
Jack Levy, COO, and Co-Founder of Allye, expressed excitement about the project, emphasizing its potential impact on an underserved demographic. “As project partners, we are delighted to receive this funding from Innovate UK and Innosuisse. Our R&D proposal successfully demonstrated a disruptive innovation, to create a new type of home energy storage system for an underserved and increasing part of the population. As the energy transition accelerates, we must make sure no-one is left behind. This grant will deliver significant economic and societal benefit to the UK and Swiss economies.”
The CURB project’s primary objective is to develop a novel Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) tailored to smaller households and renters, who often face barriers to adopting green technologies. The envisioned modular and portable system, equipped with Allye’s unique software intelligence, promises easy installation and removal. The aim is to empower those living in rented apartments across Europe, offering flexibility services to the grid and taking advantage of time-of-use rates to cut electricity costs in half.
The grant, awarded as part of the ‘UK-Switzerland Bilateral: Collaborative R&D’ competition, reflects a joint effort by Innovate UK and Innosuisse. Allye’s partners, OST and Negal, secured funding from Innosuisse for their contributions to the CURB project.
Ralf Negele, CEO of Negal Engineering AG, emphasized the collaborative vision, stating, “Negal Engineering is committed to pioneering high-efficiency power solutions, striving to innovate within the energy sector. Our collaboration with Allye and OST is driven by a shared vision of revolutionizing how households’ harness and manage energy. We will collaborate to develop a cutting-edge energy storage solution that aligns seamlessly with private household needs.”
In Switzerland, where over 40% of the population resides in apartments, and in England and Wales, where 21.7% live in flats or apartments, the demand for innovative home storage solutions is evident. The bi-lateral project aims to develop cutting-edge bi-directional power electronics, modular converters, and a BESS with machine learning capabilities.
Simon Nigsch, Head of Electrical Energy Systems at OST, highlighted the project’s potential impact: “The evolution of home storage systems is still in its beginnings. Together with our partners Allye and Negal, we are convinced that this project will enable us to develop the best, most compact and efficient home storage system on the market. Equipped with the latest technologies and software intelligence, this product is set to set new standards and significantly influence the home storage market.”
The CURB project aligns with broader goals of decarbonizing the electricity grid, providing demand-side response, and lowering electricity bills for consumers. By creating virtual power plants (VPPs) in densely populated urban areas, the project aims to enhance energy intelligence and efficiency while providing flexibility to distribution system operators (DSOs).
The consortium plans to commercialize the developed system within two years of completing the funded project, marking a significant step toward a more sustainable and efficient energy future.
