Accelerating Decarbonization and Clean Energy Transition With Software-Defined Batteries

The transition to clean energy is full speed ahead across various sectors. According to a Deloitte study, 89% of executives reported that their companies already had a plan or were developing one to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. 

The transition isn’t just about checking the ESG box. Respondents cited top benefits such as gaining a competitive edge and reducing costs as top drivers — especially when dealing with uncertain economic conditions and supply chain fluctuations.

But there’s still a big divide between what consulting firms project in whitepapers, what executives map out in boardrooms, and what can be practically implemented in the field. In this article, we look at how software-defined batteries (SDBs) can play a critical role in catalyzing various energy transition strategies and processes to turn predictions into reality.

How software-defined batteries support decarbonization and clean energy transition 

SDBs offer many features and capabilities that traditional battery solutions can’t rival. They provide the flexibility, agility, and scalability companies need to execute their energy transition strategies and decarbonization initiatives cost-effectively.

1. Support lower-carbon power generation

The cost of renewable energy sources has fallen dramatically over the past decade, making them cost-competitive in more regions. But unlike fossil fuel plants that can be built almost anywhere, solar and wind farms or hydro-power stations are location-dependent.  

If a business purchases renewable energy from a source hundreds of miles away, it needs the infrastructure to transmit the power. However, the grid is already strained in many populated areas and has become less reliable in times of high demand. If a company generates power on-site, it needs a power storage solution to ensure uninterrupted operations. 

Batteries will play a substantial role in solving the distribution and storage challenges. But today’s monolithic battery solutions have many hidden environmental costs. The inefficient use of battery materials can undo the positive impact of transitioning to renewable energy sources. 

The Tanktwo Battery Operating System (TBOS) uses data and analytics to optimize the lifespan of each cell in a pack, so batteries can do more with less — relieving the pressure on the supply side and reducing the environmental impact of the industry. 

Meanwhile, serviceability is virtually non-existent in traditional battery solutions. Operators have no choice but to replace the entire pack even if just one cell fails — tossing out the good ones with the bad. 

SDBs allow maintenance personnel to mix and match cells of any age, chemistries, and characteristics without impacting performance. You can replace one broken cell instead of tossing out the entire battery pack to maximize resource utilization and minimize wastage. 

2. Enable the electrification of more energy end uses

Passenger electric vehicles (EVs) are just the tip of this iceberg. The transportation sector must address challenges associated with electrifying commercial fleets to reduce emissions substantially.

However, today’s monolithic battery solutions require lengthy downtime (i.e., having vehicles stuck in charging stations for hours each day, even with fast-charging solutions), drastically reducing utilization rates and profitability.

Tanktwo’s software-defined string cells were designed to address this challenge. The technology allows operators to swap used cells with fully charged ones in minutes so commercial EV fleets can be on the road 23 hours 55 minutes a day.

Besides EV fleets, the electrification of industrial equipment will play a critical role in decarbonization. But building custom battery packs is time-consuming and labor-intensive. The high cost prohibits many small and medium enterprises from starting their electrification journey or inventing innovative solutions to accelerate the transition.

TBOS offers an API-like, plug-and-play SDB solution so product builders can create custom battery packs that fit their equipment (not the other way around) while reducing R&D costs and shortening development timelines. 

Additionally, SDBs will allow equipment manufacturers and industrial enterprises to reduce the complexity of retrofitting their current fossil fuel-powered equipment with battery packs to eliminate the high cost of purchasing new machinery and training employees.

3. Increase operational energy efficiency

Decarbonization without compromising progress is really about efficiency. 

Most Deloitte survey respondents indicated that energy efficiency is a key element in their low-carbon transition strategies. The more efficiently we can use energy from low-carbon sources, the faster we can phase out fossil fuels. Plus, achieving operational efficiency means lower costs and higher profitability in the long run.

The study also found that using digital solutions to improve energy efficiency and management is a top technological strategy for companies of all sizes. 70% of companies with a sustainability strategy incorporate digital technologies to support their decarbonization initiatives.

Digital transformation will play a crucial role in the energy transition conversation because it encompasses many aspects that focus on improving operational cost-efficiencies, with software/cloud services and data analytics as the key components.

TBOS addresses hardware (battery) problems with an agile software solution. By leveraging telemetry, wireless communication technologies, and data analytics, TBOS enables operators to program and adjust battery behaviors and characteristics on the fly to optimize efficiency in real time without compromising performance. 

TBOS: Bridging Projection and Execution

Deloitte and the likes say clean energy transition is happening, electrification is inevitable, and decarbonization is knocking at the door. 

Meanwhile, many industrial manufacturers and the guys on the floor struggle to understand what the predictions and projections mean for them — how do they overcome the cost, knowledge, and resource barriers to take advantage of the trend (without hiring an army of battery engineers)?

TBOS bridges the gap by enabling every business in every industry to participate in the electrification revolution without battery expertise. We provide a critical piece of the puzzle that will make electrification feasible and profitable at an unprecedented scale.