Embedding new data science skills into their organisation
Working with NICD, Connected Energy embedded new data science skills into their organisation, helping to deliver more efficient battery storage for their customers.
As a business their data accumulation was rising rapidly, with systems currently producing around seven million data points every day from second life EV batteries. They quickly realised that they needed to take data analysis to the next level to predict future capacities and optimise their outputs.
Based on Newcastle Helix, Connected Energy are second-life battery energy storage specialists and have systems across both the UK and Europe. They repurpose second-life EV batteries to applications such as energy storage.
This can allow the transition to more sustainable, but less reliable, power generation methods such as wind or solar by storing the excess generated energy and discharging the batteries when solar or wind generation is low.
NICD used their platforms and technologies to explore this data and transfer data science skills into their organisation. We helped them to validate data from battery systems and put it into the format they needed, helping to gain a clear picture of the data to understand what was missing and develop accurate predictions. They worked together to visualise, explore, and build models to estimate the remaining lifetime of the batteries.
Joining the global data revolution
Steve Caughey, Director from the NICD said: “As Newcastle Helix neighbours, Connected Energy quickly recognised the value data science skills and insights could bring to their business.
“They have joined the global data revolution and are leading the way with clean tech innovation – a forward-thinking organisation who are supporting both the circular economy and businesses with their sustainable goals.
“Properly processed and analysed, data can lead to radical innovations creating significant value, providing evidence for actions and interventions whether for economic, health or for social good. We can’t wait to embark on the next stage of this project and see them grow.”
Capitalising on the data we have
Matthew Lumsden, CEO, Connected Energy Limited, said: “When you build a business it’s important to recognise what skills you need in-house to create value. We recognised that being able to capitalise on the data we have available would be key to maintaining our competitive edge and so needed a flexible partnership to help us learn and build capability.
“NICD quickly became part of our team and have been invaluable in helping us to unlock the power of big data. As an organisation we are looking to expand globally, support businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and shape battery technology – the expertise of NICD and their team has been invaluable in helping us achieve our goals.
“New techniques and models are now being embedded and we hope to expand our own team of data scientists soon. Partnerships of this nature, where you can identify skills gaps then rapidly fill them with value-generating expertise are essential to scaling up businesses and NICD’s approach to providing support is a perfect fit with our needs.
“Newcastle is a great place to grow a business and, being in the heart of Newcastle Helix, alongside likeminded businesses, talent and innovators is helping take us forward to the future.”
Perfect example of the Helix ecosystem
Councillor Ged Bell, Cabinet Member for Employment and Culture at Newcastle City Council added: “This is a perfect example of the eco-system on Newcastle Helix facilitating growth and innovation. It is a place where businesses can collaborate, access talent, and make a difference.
“Data is a vital asset for businesses, with projects like this playing a critical role in the recovery of our economy. Data provides new opportunities for new products and services, and in turn jobs for future generations.”
Connected Energy is an engineering-led innovator in energy storage. Its technologies, which utilise second-life EV batteries, are rapidly changing the way intensive energy users can access the benefits of low-cost, on-site energy storage solutions.
By redeploying partially degraded EV batteries in stationary energy storage applications, they almost double the usable lives of the batteries before recycling.
They are already working on the next phase of their collaboration with NICD, taking forward insights gained from phase 1.
For more information about Connected Energy and their ambitions, visit https://www.c-e-int.com/
The challenge
Connected Energy specialises in technology systems for grid decarbonisation. This is through the design of energy storage systems using second-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
The company wanted to know how data insights about second-life EV batteries could be used to:
- predict their future capacities
- monitor the battery systems to optimise their outputs
The resolution
It was informative for Connected Energy to:
- see where they were missing data
- understand what they had
- produce ways for external people to interact with their data
The National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD) helped them validate data from battery systems and get their data into a format they could use. They also made sure the company had the right data skills in place.
The solution
Connected Energy gained:
- more accurate monitoring, so batteries are used equally and outputs are accurate
- confidence in offering customers warranties on second-life battery systems
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