Volt Harbor, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has secured $2 million in seed financing led by MFV Partners to launch and expand its patented MAC-BESS™ technology. This innovative modular, software-defined energy storage platform addresses the growing challenges of data center power demands and aging utility infrastructures. Unlike conventional systems, MAC-BESS™ utilizes software to coordinate power flow among battery modules from various manufacturers and chemistries in real-time. The system integrates battery storage, advanced power electronics, and computing into a single unit, offering configurations for both new and second-life batteries.
Dr. Al-Thaddeus Avestruz, President, CEO, and co-founder of Volt Harbor, emphasized the advantages of combining energy storage and power electronics with on-board computing, which enhances performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. The technology is particularly timely as a wave of retired EV batteries becomes available for repurposing, offering significant cost savings compared to new systems.
Volt Harbor’s MAC-BESS™ is designed to meet the high reliability and performance standards of data centers, providing rapid energy delivery and eliminating single points of failure. For utility-scale, commercial, and industrial applications, the platform supports second-life EV batteries at a fraction of the cost of new systems, transforming retired batteries into valuable storage capacity.
The company collaborates with DTE Energy to deploy MAC-BESS™ systems on the grid, enhancing capacity for high-power EV charging and offering demand response and backup support. Volt Harbor’s approach reduces the need for new battery manufacturing and lowers emissions by extending the life of existing batteries.
