Yotta Energy adds fuel cell partner for on-demand energy solution

Solar generation is inherently intermittent, so commercial and industrial (C&I) applications with a 24/7 load and pricey demand charges require a tailored energy storage and energy management strategy. Two tech providers, Yotta Energy and Upstart Power, are teaming up to solve that problem with an on-demand energy solution.
Yotta Energy is known for its proprietary PV module-level energy storage architecture – batteries placed on the roof, under solar panels. Upstart Power deploys the Upgen NXG fuel cell platform – a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) that promises “on-demand” baseload power.
The Upgen NXG works in tandem with the Yotta ESS to firm up the solar + storage system when the sun isn’t shining, when batteries are low, or when load demand is especially high.
“More often than not, the biggest hurdle of deploying energy storage in commercial and industrial buildings is the ‘bespoke’ (read: complex & expensive) question of where to site the batteries, which challenges the project economics, particularly for small and medium commercial and industrial buildings,” explains Georg Bettenhauser, Chief Commercial Officer at Upstart Power.
As part of this strategic partnership, Yotta Energy has a non-exclusive license Upstart Power’s fuel cell fleet management software platform. This means the Upgen NXG on-demand energy appliances can be deployed with Yotta’s Energy Management solution, Yotta Vision.
“Upgen NXG™ fuel cell generators from Upstart Power are the perfect on-demand ‘companions’ augmenting the intermittent nature of solar,” said Jordan Harris, CEO of Yotta Energy.
Keys to Yotta Energy + Upstart Power
- Low-voltage solution.
- Addresses issues related to space constraints and intermittency
- Design and cost savings
Yotta Energy at a glance
Yotta Energy’s modular battery storage product is particularly suited for small and medium-sized sites, like convenience stores, car dealerships, strip malls, supercenters, and multi-family buildings.
Yotta says its module-level battery installation reduces technical design and construction efforts enough to save customers up to 40% over conventional commodity batteries in a box.
The Yotta Vision EMS delivers key insight in real-time, such as load control, battery storage, solar, generators and electric vehicle charging technologies to help monetize grid services, minimizes demand charges, lower total energy costs and mitigate grid outages.
Upstart Power at a glance
Traditionally, SOFC systems are deployed in an “always-on” baseload power mode to maintain system stability and avoid degradation due to thermal cycling. Upstart Power designed the Upgen NXG system to work differently, for “on-demand” operation. They start quickly and cycle (turn on and off when needed) frequently without sustaining damage.
Upstart Power’s ability to effectively cycle SOFC-based systems while minimizing degradation is a key differentiator.