Torus, Inc. is an energy solutions company focused on developing solutions in energy storage, management, and security spaces. Their technologies are targeted at utilities, data centers, commercial and industrial facilities, defense installations, and residential communities. With a focus on American manufacturing and innovation, Torus designs, engineers, and manufactures its products in the US.

Torus offers a suite of products designed to address the complex challenges including:

• Torus Nova Spin™ - A Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS) offering rapid response capabilities for grid stability and backup power for commercial and utility customers. It is made with 95% recyclable materials and has a 25-year lifespan. The Torus Nova Spin stores energy mechanically by spinning the rotor at high speeds and acts as a generator when discharging energy. When connected to the electrical grid, they offer several advantages:

  • High power density by delivering large amounts of power over short periods, 10 times faster than traditional batteries with its higher C-rating.
  • Better integration with renewable energy sources such as solar and wind by providing consistent power to the grid.
  • Load leveling and peak shaving by storing energy during low-demand periods and releasing it during peak times, optimizing grid operations.
  • Lower levelized cost of storage with its 25-year lifespan and its ability to extend the lifespan of chemical batteries by 2x.
  • Spinning reserve capabilities lessen the reliance on standby generators that consume fuel and emit carbon emissions while idling.

• Torus Nova Pulse™ - Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) designed for long-duration energy storage and grid support. Developed by Torus with lithium-iron phosphate battery technology, Nova Pulse is designed to operate in tandem with the Torus Nova Spin™ Flywheel Energy Storage System. Key features include:

  • Battery Technology: Utilizes Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cell chemistry with a round-trip efficiency of 90% to 95%.
  • Modular Design: Features 270 kWh battery modules, scalable to desired capacity. System capacity is configurable from 135 kW to 5 MW.
  • Advanced Battery Management System (BMS): Monitors cell voltage, current, temperature, State of Charge (SoC), and State of Health (SoH). Includes protection features such as overvoltage/undervoltage protection, overcurrent protection, and thermal shutdown mechanisms.
  • Comprehensive Communication: Supports CAN bus, Modbus, and Ethernet protocols for integration with existing systems.
  • Efficient Thermal Management: Employs air cooling with redundant pumps and heat exchangers, maintaining temperature control within ±2°C of setpoint. HVAC systems provide enclosure climate control, including humidity and particulate filtration.
  • Robust Enclosure: Housed in ISO-standard containers (20-foot, 40-foot options) with IP54 rating for dust and water ingress protection. Includes fire suppression systems and emergency ventilation and pressure relief mechanisms.
  • System Integration: Compatible with SCADA, DMS, OMS, and EMS platforms. Features coordinated control algorithms for operation with Flywheel Energy Storage Systems (FESS).

• Torus Nova Shield™ - Energy security technology stack engineered specifically to safeguard Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Flywheel Energy Storage Systems (FESS) from cyber threats and unauthorized access. Built by Torus, it is integrated across the Nova hardware, firmware, and software product line as well as Overwatch and Lasso. Nova Shield offers a multi-layered cyber defense solution current meeting security.

  • Multi-Layered Defense: Includes a security architecture based on the Purdue Reference Model modern firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), and zero-trust principles.
  • Intrusion Detection & Prevention: Real-time monitoring and proactive defense mechanisms to identify and mitigate threats
  • Segmented and Isolated Network Architecture: Reduces attack surfaces and prevents lateral movement within networks.
  • Zero Trust Architecture: Includes secure remote access, no internet-facing attack surface, no IP stacks utilized to command energy resources and the utilization of ICS Comms Protocols (RS485, CAN, Modbus).
  • Proprietary Anomaly Detection Software: Employs advanced algorithms to detect unusual activities, with no listening on accessible ports, eliminating remote attack vectors.
  • Risk Management: Continuous vulnerability scanning and comprehensive risk monitoring across all assets.
  • Resilience and Redundancy: Designed with fail-safes and backup systems to maintain uninterrupted operations during failures or emergencies.
  • Secure Internet Connection: Nova Shield utilizes Starlink to access the internet.

• Torus Overwatch™ - Cybersecurity and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) platform designed to secure energy infrastructures for utility and C&I companies. Leveraging Torus’s vertically integrated expertise in hardware, firmware, software, cybersecurity, and O&M, the platform provides a comprehensive solution.

  • Cybersecurity: Multi-layered security measures protect against evolving cyber threats targeting critical energy infrastructure.
  • System Integration: Interoperability with existing systems, including SCADA, DMS, and OMS, SIEM (Security Incident and Event Management) ensures cohesive operations without the need for extensive overhauls.
  • Reliability and Availability: Real-time monitoring and predictive analytics enable informed decision-making and proactive maintenance, enhancing system safety, reliability and performance.
  • Scalability and Flexibility: Modular architecture supports future expansion and integration with additional energy resources, ensuring the platform remains adaptable to changing needs.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Built-in tools and features assist organizations in meeting stringent regulatory requirements, reducing compliance-related risks.
  • Performance Management: through proactive, detective and reactive action, systems are safeguarded to perform at an optimal state.

• Torus Lasso™ - Energy Management Software is designed for utility companies and their wholesale generation desks to optimize energy asset operations using web-based and mobile applications. Torus Lasso offers features such as scheduling and dispatch, cybersecurity measures, and asset performance management across entire fleets of distributed energy resources (DERs).

  • Scheduling and Dispatch
    • Multi-Asset Coordination: Capable of coordinating multiple energy storage assets simultaneously and renewable energy sources
    • Real-Time Dispatch Adjustments: The software supports dynamic re-dispatching capabilities, allowing it to adjust schedules in response to unplanned events like sudden demand spikes or generation outages. It achieves this through continuous monitoring and predictive analytics.
    • AI Optimization: Torus Lasso employs optimization techniques to determine the most efficient charging and discharging schedules for energy assets. These algorithms consider real-time data inputs such as electricity prices, demand forecasts, asset availability, and operational constraints.
  • Support for Ancillary Services
    • Reserve Services: Configures spinning and non-spinning reserves, ensuring immediate availability of power to respond to grid contingencies.
    • Black Start Capability: Coordinates startup sequences and synchronizes with grid parameters to facilitate black start operations in the event of widespread outages.
    • Grid Code Compliance: Ensures adherence to IEEE 1547, IEC 61850, and regional grid codes, facilitating participation in ancillary service markets.
    • Asset Performance Management
      • Condition Monitoring: Uses sensors and IoT devices to collect real-time data on asset health parameters such as temperature, pressure, vibration, and electrical characteristics.
      • Predictive Analytics: Applies machine learning algorithms to predict possible asset failures and schedule proactive maintenance.
      • Lifecycle Management: Tracks asset performance over time, providing insights into degradation patterns and informing battery replacement strategies.

Torus offers flexible engagement models tailored to the needs of different customer segments:

For Utilities (Wholesale): Capacity via PPA or Tolling Agreements

• Utilities can access Torus's energy storage capacity to manage peak demand and grid stability.
• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) allow utilities to buy energy or capacity at a fixed rate over a set period.
• Tolling Agreements enable utilities to use Torus's energy storage assets for a fee, providing flexibility without capital investment.

Capacity & Generation via PPA or Tolling Agreements

• In addition to storage capacity, utilities can access Torus's generation capabilities. This combined offering provides a comprehensive solution for managing both supply and demand.
• Build-Transfer Agreements
  • Torus designs, builds, and commissions energy storage and generation assets, then transfers ownership to the utility.
  • Allows utilities to leverage Torus's expertise in project development.
  • Utilities benefit from turnkey solutions without the complexity of managing the development process.
  • Can be customized to include ongoing maintenance and operational support from Torus.

For Commercial Customers (Retail): Hardware Purchase

• Commercial entities can purchase Torus hardware for on-site installation.
• Solutions combine advanced Torus hardware and software with security measures, and ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M) support.
• System sizing to customer's building power requirements, handling permitting and installation, and offering maintenance and monitoring

For Defense & Government: Microgrid Solutions

• Can operate in both grid-connected and islanded modes, ensuring continuous power even during grid outages.
• Customizable to meet specific security and operational requirements of defense and government installations.

Torus' team works with each client to determine the best approach, ensuring optimal performance, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with long-term energy goals.

Torus tackles key challenges in grid stability and renewable energy adoption with a stacked solution. Their technology enhances grid resilience by smoothing intermittency issues, allowing for wider integration of renewable energy sources.

• AI and Machine Learning Capabilities
  • Solar Production Prediction: Provides 7-day solar production prediction data for individual and fleet-wide Torus systems.
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP): GPT-like interface allows users to interact with the system using natural language queries.
  • Machine Learning Algorithms: Implements supervised and unsupervised learning for predictive analytics and anomaly detection.
  • High Availability (HA): Clustering and load balancing ensure continuous operation with minimal downtime.
  • Disaster Recovery (DR): Automated backups and geographically distributed data centers for redundancy.

The electrical grid currently faces relevant challenges including renewable integration and rising power demand. While 15% of US power comes from intermittent sources like solar and wind, less than 20% of commercial solar projects have storage capabilities, leading to reliability issues and grid congestion. Besides, electrification efforts are leading an increase in power demand together with data centers which are projected to account for 8% of total power use by 2030, significantly straining the grid.

With the increase in power outages due to extreme weather and aging infrastructure, there is a need for secure, efficient energy storage to improve grid reliability. Torus aims to address these issues by integrating energy storage with renewables. Their solutions provides grid stability, reduces outages, and strengthens energy security for businesses and communities.