The main building of MAPNA Group in Tehran has been equipped with a homegrown Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), marking the first installation of a MAPNA-developed BESS in Iran.
The BESS system, with a capacity of 250 kilowatts and an energy storage of one megawatt-hour, is capable of supplying electricity for a duration of 4 hours.
The system was launched on April 24, 2024, with the participation of the conglomerate’s top managers, including its president, Mohammad Owliya.
The system is designed to store electrical energy during periods of low demand and feed electricity back into the grid when required. It comprises four battery clusters, an electronic power converter, switchgear, and fire detection and extinguishing, among others.
The BESS system offers several benefits, including enhanced flexibility and reliability of the power grid, balanced electricity production and consumption during peak and off-peak hours, improved efficiency of transmission lines and power plants, and reduced fuel consumption in power plants.
Addressing the event, Owliya noted that the BESS system can provide a portion of the grid’s requirements in a consistent and eco-friendly manner.
MAPNA Group is planning to allocate investments for the construction of the BESS system with the objective of enhancing the country’s electricity network, he added.
This system, which is based on the charging and discharging of lithium-ion batteries, is a first-of-its-kind initiative in Iran, designed and built by MAPNA Electric & Control Engineering & Manufacturing Company (MECO). During periods of low demand, the system draws power from the grid and stores it in batteries. This stored power can then be fed back into the grid during peak hours, particularly in the summer season, thereby reducing the likelihood of grid blackouts.
Mohammad Hossein Refan, the CEO of MECO, also addressed the event, noting that the company has successfully localized the knowledge required for the design and manufacturing of the BESS system, which meets all the necessary standards and certifications.
This system can be utilized in various settings, including solar and wind farms, commercial centers, and more, he said.
“We are fully prepared to provide this system to interested parties and customers,” he added.
Gholamhossein Samandegani, director of MAPNA Group’s human resources department, noted that the conglomerate is shifting its strategy to avoid using grid electricity, particularly during the hot summer months. MAPNA Company’s building is also equipped with a diesel generator and a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system, he added.
In addition to its standalone use in industries and distribution networks, the BESS system can also maximize energy capture from renewable sources in renewable generators, such as wind and solar farms. Another application of the BESS system is to cater to the domestic needs of island networks that are independent of the national electricity grid.
