Menomonee Falls-based ZBB Energy Corp., a developer of energy management solutions for the commercial and industrial building and utility markets, recently signed a contract to provide an advanced energy management system for the largest “off-grid” renewable energy installation in the Cayman Islands.
The Cayman Technology Centre (CTC), a 38,000-square-foot office and retail complex in George Town, Grand Cayman, owned by NCB Group, will be designed to operate independent of the utility grid. The system’s integration is composed of 10 50kWh ZBB’s EnerStore V3.3 ZnBr flow batteries, a ZBB EnerSection energy management system, a 380kW PV installation and an 800kW diesel generator.
“Cayman Technology Centre is setting the stage for commercial construction in Grand Cayman,” said Mathew Wight, managing director for NCB Group. “By integrating both solar energy with storage and geothermal technologies, CTC tenants will not only save money on their monthly utility bills but as developers, we are helping the environment and greatly reducing our carbon foot print.”
“Endless Energy selected ZBB’s energy storage and management system because it helped us provide our customer with what they wanted — energy independence; reduced energy expenses; and protection of the environment,” said Jim Knapp, owner of Endless Energy (Cayman) Limited, a renewable energy provider for sustainable building projects in the Caribbean. “We look forward to providing NCB Group and CTC with cost effective, utility quality power at a reduced cost using solar energy stored by ZBB to create one of the most environmentally friendly energy systems in the Caribbean.”
Expensive electricity rates and challenged grid energy supply in the Caribbean is expected to significantly expand the market for micro-grid systems in the region, and ZBB believes that the trend toward grid defection and off-grid, self-sustaining commercial projects will continue in the coming years.
“ZBB is focused on developing and commercializing technology that enables owners of commercial and industrial properties to maximize their energy independence and turn their buildings from an energy user to a clean energy producing asset,” said Brad Hansen, president and chief operating officer. “Energy management systems for the C&I market must be capable of performing a number of applications and be highly configurable to deliver value to the operator. ZBB is pleased to be able to bring our solution to the Cayman Technology Centre project.”
