Press Release: Start-up FLASC B.V., pioneering the development of non-battery based energy storage solutions for the offshore sector, has established a collaboration agreement with Subsea 7, a global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the energy industry.
Hydro-Pneumatic Energy Storage
FLASC’s unique, patented Hydro-Pneumatic Energy Storage (HPES) concept combines pressurised seawater with compressed air to create an efficient, large-scale energy storage device that can be applied across a wide range of offshore applications. The technology leverages existing infrastructure and supply chains, along with the marine environment itself as a natural heatsink, resulting in a safe, reliable and cost-effective solution. The first working prototype was successfully tested in 2018 and DNV-GL granted it a Statement of Feasibility based on a technical and commercial assessment.
What does the cooperation entail?
The collaboration combines the innovative ‘concept definition capabilities’ and specialised HPES system expertise of FLASC with the proven subsea solutions, technologies and experience of Subsea 7 towards the commercialisation of offshore HPES. The companies will develop solution classes based on FLASC’s core technology, targeting a number of use-cases: from conventional grid-connected wind farm applications to decarbonisation initiatives in the offshore oil and gas sector. The parties will also jointly pursue early-stage implementations of these solutions within Subsea 7’s (near) future projects.
Daniel Buhagiar, Co-Founder and CEO of FLASC B.V., says:
“We truly believe that sustainable co-located energy storage will be crucial to unlocking the full potential of offshore renewables. We have seen consistently growing interest for innovations that address the unique challenges of the offshore environment. This collaboration with Subsea 7, a global leader in the sector, is a major milestone in the process of taking our innovative energy storage solution from a proven concept to a versatile commercial product. Through this collaboration, we look forward to accelerating our path to market, in line with the growing demands of an offshore sector in the midst of an accelerating green transition.”
Thomas Sunde, VP Strategy and Technology of Subsea 7, says
“We believe that cost effective and reliable industrial scale energy storage solutions are essential to unlock the promise of offshore renewables and accelerate the energy transition. FLASC’s Hydro-Pneumatic Energy Storage (HPES) solution is an innovative technology with significant potential, offering a competitive and more sustainable alternative to Li-ion battery farms. The collaboration with FLASC will allow us to leverage Subsea 7’s world-class technical expertise in the development of offshore subsea solutions to accelerate the deployment of utility scale, low maintenance, HPES storage solutions.
“Subsea 7 is strongly committed to a low carbon future and long-term value creation in the energy sector, leveraging our expertise and our experience in the subsea and renewables industries to provide innovative and cost-effective solutions to our clients as they continue on their energy transition journey.”
Header image: The FLASC small-scale HPES prototype being transported to the installation site in the Mediterranean island of Malta.
