ASG AMF Engineering, a precision engineering firm based in Bromborough, has completed a groundbreaking investment in large-scale battery storage technology. The new Solax lithium-ferro phosphate (LFP) battery storage cell battery system, installed to complement the company’s recently deployed solar panel array, enables AMF Engineering to store and optimise its renewable energy usage—significantly reducing reliance on the national grid and mitigating the impact of rising energy costs. The firm is known for manufacture of ultra high vacuum components for the semiconductor industry and also umbilical components for the subsea industry, this marks the latest sustainable investment made by the ASG Group following fitting of solar panels in 2024 at this facility.
Simon Kirkman, MD of ASG AMF Engineering with the new battery storage capability
The combined solar panel and battery system now powers a substantial portion of the factory’s operations, marking an unprecedented investment within the ASG Group. This development places AMF Engineering at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing, addressing one of the key challenges faced by industrial energy consumers: the difficulty of reselling excess solar energy back to the national grid. By capturing and storing surplus energy, AMF Engineering can now fully utilise its renewable power generation, reinforcing both its environmental and financial resilience.
The battery storage solution is powered by Solax Power’s advanced Aelio series, a highly integrated, all-in-one hybrid energy storage cabinet. The Aelio cabinet incorporates high-density, high-safety, and high-performance LFP batteries, providing a stable charge and discharge cycle based on pre-set working modes. The large-capacity 280Ah battery cells deliver high efficiency energy storage and reliability and includes a self-developed Energy Management System (EMS), which continuously monitors battery cells, power conversion systems (PCS), and fire protection mechanisms in real-time. It also has intelligent control strategies that autonomously schedule energy usage based on local electricity prices, integrate with photovoltaic and the firm’s new EV charging systems in the carpark, whilst managing energy distribution at a power plant level—ultimately enhancing efficiency and shortening the investment return period.
Simon Kirkman, Managing Director of ASG AMF Engineering, commented: “The introduction of battery storage technology is a game-changer for our business. Our solar panel investment has already delivered significant savings, and with the new battery system, we can maximise our energy efficiency even further. This project supports our sustainability goals and ensures we remain competitive in an increasingly cost-sensitive industry.”
ASG Group Managing Director, Simon Weston, highlighted the strategic importance of the investment: “Battery storage represents a transformational shift for manufacturing businesses. As energy costs continue to rise, companies must find innovative solutions to control expenditure and improve efficiency. This investment at AMF Engineering is a key step in ASG Group’s long-term strategy to integrate sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions across our sites.”
The solar panel array, installed earlier this year, comprises nearly 700 panels generating approximately 160,000 kWh annually. The battery storage system now ensures that excess energy is efficiently utilised rather than wasted, providing greater energy security and cost predictability for the business. With this latest investment, AMF Engineering reinforces its commitment to sustainability while setting an industry-leading example of how precision engineering firms can leverage renewable energy to future-proof their operations.
