Future Transport Systems (FTS) is celebrating after winning its first national award on Thursday 18th June. FTS won the Innovation Category of the British Renewable Energy Awards 2015 with its E-STOR product. E-STOR re-purposes used electric car battery packs to store and distribute power generated by renewables - and optimise its use.

E-STOR Wins Renewable Energy Accolade

Future Transport Systems (FTS) is celebrating after winning its first national award last night (Thursday 18th June).

FTS won the Innovation Category of the British Renewable Energy Awards 2015 with its E-STOR product. E-STOR re-purposes used electric car battery packs to store and distribute power generated by renewables - and optimise its use.

Matthew Lumsden, Managing Director of FTS, said: "We are proud to be a winner at the most prestigious awards event for the UK renewables industry.

"This accolade from our peers underlines the significant role that E-STOR can play in our transition to a low carbon future."

Organised by the Renewable Energy Association (REA), this was the tenth iteration of the awards, which this year took place at the Savoy hotel in London. FTS, which is based in Newcastle upon Tyne and has its technical centre in Bawburgh, Norfolk, was one of seven entrants shortlisted for the Innovation category.

FTS developed E-STOR in response to growing demand for 50kW rapid charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs). Installing E-STOR systems can be a cost-effective alternative to upgrading the local distribution network and delivers on several sustainability objectives. It provides a viable second life for EV batteries while simultaneously improving the business case for rapid chargers and electric cars.

The company was part of the EVEREST consortium that received £3.7 million from the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to produce a proof of concept system. This installation is now successfully operating at the Lotus Cars factory in Norfolk.

FTS has set up a subsidiary, Connected Energy to commercialise E-STOR. It is now exploring other market opportunities, such as for commercial buildings with rooftop solar installations and other renewable power generation. Connected Energy is on track to install the first E-STOR production models in early 2016.