| Work Detail |
Commissioned by Ion Energia, two 247 kWh battery energy storage systems (BESS) supplied energy to three carnival blocks in the city, powering the sound, lighting and stage equipment for six hours. The world-famous Rio de Janeiro carnival, known for its contagious energy, gained a new ally this year: energy storage. Renewable energy and energy storage trading company Ion Energia used BESS to power three blocks of streets in the city during the event, replacing the usual diesel generators. The batteries powered the carnival block “Play Rauuul!”, in homage to the music of the late Brazilian rocker Raul Seixas; and the “Exagerado” section, which played the music of the late Brazilian singer-songwriter Cazuza, to a carnival rhythm, both in Praça Tiradentes, in downtown Rio. And the BESS also powered the Last Sip of Rio Carnival block, in Praça Santos Dumont, in the Gávea neighborhood. Each city block had two 247kWh BESSs to power sound, lighting and stage equipment for six hours of partying. US-based Ion Storage Solutions assembled the 3.5-tonne BESSs on-site using a “Munk” truck with an articulated hydraulic arm. The batteries had been charged with grid power at a warehouse in Rio. A distribution panel, with circuit breakers and an automatic transfer switch, was used to ensure power in the event of a system failure. Diesel generators were not needed, and were present as a backup power source. Ion Energia engineer Joice Pereira, who coordinated the operation, said: “The experience was a success, with party-goers and organisers impressed by the absence of noise, smoke and diesel smell. The Ion Storage Solutions team took the opportunity to explain how the BESS system works and demystify the technology, which is still relatively new in Brazil. Despite their initial doubts, party-goers praised the initiative and were amazed by the storage capacity of these systems.” The project demonstrated the potential of using clean energy at large-scale events. Ion Energia aims to supply other events by replacing diesel generators with BESS and contributing to the decarbonisation of the events sector. |
