- The E-Box, a container powered by 18.2 kWp solar panels and 57 kWh lithium batteries, will supply clean and renewable energy to different types of projects under construction or in the installation phase without the need to be connected to the main electricity grid.
- The Governor of Antofagasta, Ricardo Díaz, the chair of the Senate Mining and Energy Committee, Loreto Carvajal and representatives of Enel X, Enel Green Power and Enel Generación attended the product launch.
Antofagasta, June 13, 2022 - Energy demand response provider Enel X has created E-Box, an efficient energy generation, supply and storage system designed to supply power for projects of Enel Green Power (EGP) projects that are at the construction phase. The customized solution consists of a pioneering modular infrastructure that incorporates solar photovoltaic technology and lithium batteries that can provide autonomous and sustainable renewable energy for site operation.
E-Box was built using Enel X technology and engineering know-how for EGP's Sierra Gorda solar-wind hybrid plant, which is located in the Antofagasta region. This is the first solution of its kind to be developed in Latin America, consisting of a standard container but which incorporates an innovative structure for mounting 18.2 kWp solar photovoltaic panels and 57 kWh lithium batteries. The technology will provide clean energy on-site to projects that are under construction and in areas where there is no access to the main electricity grid.
"This is a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution that allows companies to remain operational while building new projects without having to be connected to the main power grid. It is also an attractive alternative for sectors like mining and real estate that are high consumers of fossil fuels like diesel but want to reduce the carbon emissions in their processes," said Claudio Candia, Enel X's Business and Industry Manager.
E-Box can operate in extreme conditions, at temperatures ranging from -10°C to 45°C and at over 2,000 meters above sea level enabling companies to start site operations in a sustainable manner from day one.
"The idea for this project originated with workers at our plants who identified a need that we ended up transforming into an opportunity for improvement. Thanks to our joint work with Enel X, we created E-Box, a sustainable solution that guarantees a continuous energy supply and replaces other polluting energy sources," said James Lee Stancampiano, head of Chile-Argentina Generation at Enel.
E-Box offers several additional benefits, including improved logistics and safety given that it doesn't require fuel to be transported for it to operate. On the other hand, it fits with the concept of the circular economy being 100% sustainable as it reuses its batteries and because it can also be easily transported to power nearby communities that suffer from natural disasters or other emergencies.