F1 Technology Comes to Solar Power in Unique Collaboration

Williams Advanced Engineering (UK), the technology and engineering services business of the Williams group of companies, is pleased to announce a new collaboration with global solar energy leader Hanergy that will see the two companies work together to develop energy storage solutions for Hanergy’s renewable energy products.

Hanergy is a multinational clean energy power generation company and its businesses cover hydropower, wind power and thin-film solar power generation. Founded in China in 1994 and headquartered in Beijing, Hanergy has over 10,000 employees worldwide.

Williams Advanced Engineering has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hanergy Solar Power UK, the entity in charge of Commercial Solar Developments and Innovative Renewable Technologies Developments for the United Kingdom. Under the terms of the agreement Hanergy will start to utilise Williams Advanced Engineering’s extensive experience in different forms of energy storage technology for two clean energy projects based on the development of advanced energy storage technologies to optimise solar power generation. Finding a reliable way to store and reuse energy is seen as crucial in unlocking the true potential of renewable energy sources for both commercial and residential use.

Nicolas Martin, CEO of Hanergy Solar Power UK, said; “As a global leader in thin-film solar technology, Hanergy is continually seeking collaborations that will allow us to improve the future of clean power. Utilising Williams’ cutting-edge energy storage technology, we can enhance the efficiency of our solar projects and bring more clean power to more people. In time, we are confident that this collaboration will help us reach our ultimate goal of changing the world by clean power.”

Williams became a global leader in energy storage technology following the introduction of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems into Formula One racing in 2009. Through Williams’ Advanced Engineering division, lithium ion battery and flywheel based energy storage systems have been used in applications such as London buses, Le Mans winning racing cars, a hybrid super car with Jaguar, microgrids in the Scottish highlands, and the cars competing in Formula E – the world’s first fully electric racing series.

Speaking about the collaboration Craig Wilson, Managing Director of Williams Advanced Engineering, said; “Hanergy is a global leader in solar power technology and this early collaboration is an important step for Williams Advanced Engineering. Renewable forms of energy such as solar power are the future – but the key to unlocking this technology and encouraging mass take up is the ability to store and reuse excess energy when needed. Only then can this technology realise its full potential. The future market for the right energy storage solution is vast, and we feel we have the skills and expertise to develop the right solutions in partnership with Hanergy. We are starting work on two initial projects with the view to a longer term collaboration between our two companies.”