Readings of a Lithium Language is a multi-platform installation presented by Professor Martin Foster (Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering) and artist Joseph Cutts, depicting the setup of the Willenhall Energy Storage System (a grid connected battery research and demonstrator facility at the Willenhall substation).
They recorded its life-cycle through a series of readings in energy consumption and storage, alongside the monitoring of the systems overall stability and health, as it provides further insight into the power flow management of the facility, tracking its faults, weather and seasonal variation.
The 2MW 1MWh grid connected battery facility (that could provide power to 3,000 homes for 20 minutes) looks at future possibilities for large-scale energy storage and how to overcome the challenges associated with connecting such technologies to the grid.
Readings of a Lithium Language is supported further by research material and on-site management from Dr Matthew Smith, Centre for Research into Electrical Energy Storage & Applications.
Millennium Gallery opening times Tuesday–Saturday: 10am–5pm (closed Mondays) Sunday: 11am–4pm