In a move aimed at helping to integrate renewable energy sources onto its grid, Singapore is to trial two types of utility-scale battery energy storage.

As part of an $18.3m project overseen by the city-state’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) in partnership with utility Singapore Power, contracts have been awarded to two consortia to install and test a total of 4.4 MWh in both lithium-ion and redox flow battery storage systems.

Together, the two consortia will receive around $17.8m in grants for the project.

The goal of the trials is to support Singapore’s target of installing 1 GW of solar PV capacity beyond 2020, as well as determining which energy storage technologies function best in Singapore’s hot and humid climate. The tests also aim to help establish technical guidelines for deployment of energy storage systems, such as grid connection and installation safety requirements.

Two test beds will be built in northern and northeastern Singapore, the EMA said, and the trials will run for three years.