The PowerTower could become the wave of the future in response to an increasing unreliable or unpredictable energy supply. It will also have an important role in fostering the continued growth of wind and solar by being able to increase the efficiency of these renewable sources.

The PowerTower looks like a big blue filing cabinet, and takes up about that amount of space indoors. Each unit uses batteries to store power, which is then released when needed, such as in the event of a power failure. But the PowerTower is more than just a backup generator. Gaia Technologies has manufactured this turn key storage unit to be integrated with renewable power sources, such as wind and solar, so that during times of intermittent generation the stored up power can be utilized.

Because it uses batteries it doesn't need any additional fuel to run (no diesel required) and only has one moving part - a fan to keep the unit cool. Minimal moving parts also mean minimal maintenance to keep it running over the course of its 20 year operating lifetime. (Batteries need to be replaced after about 7 years.)

For those of you who like numbers, each unit provides up to 11kW of continuous power output and 15kWh of energy storage capacity, with over 25kW of surge power (to start motors pumps and furnaces) and can be configured for either 120V or 120/240V. Multiple units can be connected together to provide for greater needs.

Who is using this technology? According to Matthew Johnson, Director of Marketing and Business Development with Gaia Power Technologies, the PowerTower is mainly used right now as means of backup power for residential consumers and small businesses during times of power grid failure, and to help increase the functionality of solar and wind generation. There is also interest from countries around the world in areas with low or intermittent power connectivity.

The PowerTower can also serve to lessen peak load demand when energy use is at its highest. In New York for example, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers businesses an incentive for not using as much power during the heat of the day when AC units are at full blast across the city in what is called the Peak Load Reduction Program.

NYSERDA also helped fund the development of Gaia's turn key storage technologies. In addition to funding research and development of renewable and alternative energy technologies, the state agency also offers incentives and rebates for consumers and busineses in purchasing Energy Star appliances, installing solar panels and utilizing other technologies such as the PowerTower. (To see if there are incentives in your state check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency - DSIRE.)

The PowerTower was developed by a battery chemist, Ib Olsen, who saw the need to take battery power to a new level for the end user. Gaia Power Technologies began in 2002 and has been manufacturing and selling the PowerTower over the past year and a half. Additional information can be found at the company's website.