We make a Compressed Air Energy Storage System

that helps renewable sources store what they've produced!   Unlike batteries, we do not wear down  -  we're with you for life!  Unlike grid- enabled storage, we do not have carbon emissions!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
LEAPER INNOVATE GREEN ENERGIES
COMPRESSED AIR ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM

“LiGE AIR BATTERY/QUBE/ECO-MC²”

Do you provide a maintenance service warranty?
Units built to specification carry a 5 year warranty against defect and upgrades to software, pressure vessels comply to ISC 11120 and as such are exempt from tests for 25 years, two call outs per year and is covered by the warranty ( further call outs will be for the cost of the client) if the device is within 50 km of a major centre, should the distance be larger than that the travelling cost only will be recovered.

How do you handle manufacturer’s warranties?
The parts replaced are covered by our warrantee and are not subject to the manufactures warranty.

What maintenance is recommended?
Every unit is monitored on a constant basis by “LiGE”, the data belongs to LiGE, and any deviation from normal will be flagged, usually before the client knows there is a problem. Replacement of parts during maintenance is scheduled by “mean time to failure “of components and usage algorithm and predictive replacement.

How long can I expect the system to last?
Selected parts used are chosen for long life and expect a 30-year lifespan as the vessels will usually be replaced at that stage as the “cycles” will be time ex.

How will I know if my site is appropriate?
In general, the site is function of power required, so large power requires large areas of space, on average a 40 Kwh storage (large enough for a 5 person house hold) will require 8m² site plus solar panels area on a roof usually or wind turbine to create the power to be stored. The unit may be powered from municipal power and a connection point will be necessary, please note there is no “power returned to grid”.

Do you perform an ‘energy use’ evaluation/audit?
Yes, and is a requirement in cases where the power will be over 100Kwh storage.

Will the system be able to measure and track energy production?
Yes, and much more, usage, peak, general operating conditions.

 

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Are structural engineering considerations included in the monthly rental price or purchase price?

Outright purchases - The unit price is the FOB price on the showroom floor, the transport / structural / installation costs are over and above that cost.  Rental units - The full cost is the basis for renting a unit includes installation, transport and insurance of the unit.

 

From start to finish, how long might installation take?

This is site and size dependant, two to six weeks from delivery to site of the unit.

 

If there is a blackout, what options do I have for back-up power?

The idea of a blackout is dependent upon the correct audit in the first place, the correct size unit will minimise the potential for a “blackout “.

The possibility of a blackout is still there and as such a unit will be able to changeover to municipal power or to a generator.

 

Can the change over from non-renewable energy to renewable energy be considered economically feasible?

Today’s costs are on par but soon the cost of the system compared to the utility/municipal service providers will be much better in some cases by 50%.

 

Is renewable energy a ‘good’ investment?

In many ways this is the only true investment with long term positive sustainable impact on the future.

 

What if we decide to relocate during the rental period?

The full costs of uproot and replace install and site test will be for your account. A full application must be made for consideration and will be on a case-by-case basis.

 

What if we fail to make a payment?

This would be a rental condition infraction and would incur disconnection and reconnection fees (recommissioning of system).

 

What happens if there is a fire at our premises?

The unit is assembled away from the main dwelling and usually in an open area, however, should the system send a fire alarm the unit will shut down and the pressure released safely. The unit will have to be replaced if damaged.  It is suggested that the system be insured.

 

Whose responsibility is the insurance cover for the technology?

The client may take insurance through any reputable company or through our offices.

 

What if we already have renewable energy systems in place, but we are unhappy with the technology supplied for the storage of the energy?

The system CAES is a plug and play type needing no other parts except the power input (solar, wind etc.) the existing system if battery or other will not be usable and it will be disconnected, and no parts of that system will be used. 

 

What if we need a power factor correction done at our premises?

The system automatically has power factor correction in the domestic unit; however, the industrial units will require an audit and a separate quotation as this will vary between users.

 

Do you only cover projects in South Africa?

We are South African based company for now and expect to export soon, envisage some challenges i.e., guaranties and legal requirements in the countries we export to. So, this will happen but not immediately.

 

What system voltages can be supplied/generated?

The usual three phase 380, single phase 220, and any combination on special request.

 

Should we decide to go completely off grid, will there still be any monthly fees payable to the local authority?

In the municipal environment you will still have to pay for water rates and taxes, your electricity bill however will be the minimum you need not pay for the box or the connection if you do not connect to the point – in S.A. Other Countries we’ve not investigated this yet.

 

Did you do a high-level cost/performance analysis?

The levelized cost of ownership over the life span of the unit expressed in cost of power per Kw used round trip, is at this stage $0.04 per Kw.

The ROI of the unit is dependent upon application and is between 3,5 years or 11 years in the case of solar only.

 

 What is the operating cost of the unit expressed in (USD/MWh) store/release cycle?

The unit is 72% to 75% efficient during operation so 25% of the power is consumed by the unit, if the input power is grid power then the unit would cost of operation (if power cost $10.00 /Mwh ) is $2.50 / Mwh storage per cycle.

If the unit is powered from Solar, then the cost of operation is effectively the maintenance cost only and that is not considered Opex.

 

What is the expected Capex (USD/MWh) ?

At this moment it is approximately $750 per Kwh or in the case of 40Kwh unit $ 30 000.00.

 

What is the amount of water available from a 1MWh storage unit?

This is dependent on many factors location relative humidity and depth of recharge the unit is performing at the time, so on average the water generated is a by-product of the operation and is not the intended operation of the unit,  however, the calculation is based on a RH of 50% and a power charge from depleted to full would be in the region of 2250 litres per 4 hour operation, should you require the unit to produce water continuously this would be in the region of 10560 litres a day. If the RH rises to 100% this would more than triple.

 

What is the capacity modules of the air battery you have in stock and from where you hope to ship out ?

The current sizes under construction are 100Kwh and 500Kwh. Shipment is only as a per order bases as the units are built to order at this stage.

 

What is the volume of the 3 tanks?

Tank sizes are internal operational specifications and will vary by unit design so at the moment the tanks are 450Ltres water volume each.

 

What is the pressure of the compressed air?

The pressure now is designed to be 250 Bar working, this may change in future.

 

What is the efficiency of the electric turbine?

This is a function of the main system and the entire end to end efficiency is 75%.

 

There is no turbine in this unit.

 

How much kWh of pure electricity can be extracted in a full discharge cycle?

In a 40Kwh system the amount of power available is 40Kwh.

 

What sizes are available?

Standard sizes from 50kwh, 100kwh, 500kwh, 1Mwh, 5Mwh will be 5 x 1Mwh systems that will make it modular and easier to maintain by switching off only one system at a time.

 

What is the cost for a turnkey machine?

We don’t do turnkey units and the cost is as above for units rated in Kwh.

 

Financial calculations on efficiency and investment cost, payback etc ?

please see the Levelized cost of ownership above “point 22”.

 

Standardisation

The unit conforms to the various internal standard ISO11120 , SANS 10142-1-2:2001X as amended for generation of power as applicable to this design.

 

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