Europe’s first commercial battery plant remains a driver for innovation
Younicos expands stationary battery storage system to restore grid after blackout
For the first time in Germany, a stationary battery storage system will be capable of restoring a regional electricity distribution grid in case of a major disruption of the electrical supply network. As part of the “Kickstarter” demonstration project, the 5-megawatt battery plant operated by northeast Germany’s power utility WEMAG will receive physical as well as control software upgrades. In conjunction with renewable energy assets and a gas and steam power plant, it will then be able to quickly restore the grid in case of disruption, thereby preventing damage that could cost tens of millions of Euros.
Until now, only conventional generation equipment has been used to restore power. However, in order for Germany’s energy transition to succeed, the power grid must become more independent of conventional power plants, thus requiring the development of new technical solutions for system services, such as restoration of power. The Kickstarter project partners are aiming to demonstrate such a market-ready black start solution.
Thomas Pätzold, Chief Technical Officer at WEMAG, commented: “Eighteen months after commissioning, Europe’s first commercial battery plant remains a driver for innovation. Our project once more demonstrates the wide range of use cases and income streams that intelligent battery systems can provide. The battery has already generated higher revenues than expected in the primary control market, and we’re sure that this upgrade will be another worthwhile investment.”
The Berlin-based storage specialist Younicos, which designed and built the battery plant in cooperation with WEMAG, will extend the battery system’s functionality to make it capable of black starts, full islanding mode and integrating renewables in grid restoration scenarios. Clemens Triebel, co-founder of Younicos, said: “Smart software is the key to unlocking the potential of battery storage. It enables battery plants to reliably provide essential system services such as balancing power and black start capability and island mode. This opens up new areas of application for WEMAG.”
Because daily battery and grid operation only allow for limited large area testing, the University of Rostock will provide a simulation platform to analyze disruption scenarios under realistic conditions using dynamic grid models.
In the case of a major grid disruption – or even a total blackout, grid and generation system operators need to coordinate the restoration of power at their respective levels. A multi-day blackout in WEMAG’s grid area would cause massive damage to infrastructure, leading to problems in supplying the population with basic needs.
Innovative black start and grid restoration methods can significantly decrease the risk of potential damage from blackouts. Moreover, industrial processes can be protected from costly production downtime.
The Kickstarter consortium consists of the local energy utility EVSE; the Chair for Electrical Energy Supply at the University of Rostock; WEMAG AG; and Younicos. The project will receive 800,000 Euros in support funding through the “Viable Future Electricity Grids” initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and will run for three years.
About WEMAG
WEMAG AG is a nationally active green energy supplier with regional roots, as well as a grid operator in the federal states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Brandenburg in northeastern Germany. With WEMAG Netz GmbH, it is responsible for 15,000 kilometers of power lines, from house connections to overhead cables. The energy company supplies power, gas and grid services to private and commercial customers.
Media Contact WEMAG
Jenny Apitz
Tel. +49 385 755-2438
jenny.apitz(at)wemag.com
About Younicos
Younicos is a global leader for intelligent energy storage and grid solutions. Clients benefit from technical expertise, commercial know-how and in-depth experience built on nearly 100 megawatts installed in more than 20 energy storage projects worldwide. The company was founded in 2005 in Berlin, Germany, and currently employs more than 150 storage enthusiasts there and in Kyle and Austin, Texas (USA). For more information visit www.younicos.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Media Contact Younicos
Philip Hiersemenzel
press(at)younicos.com
About EVSE - Energieversorgung Schwerin GmbH & Co. Erzeugung KG
Local energy and water utility Stadtwerke Schwerin supplies state capital Schwerin with power, heat and gas. EVSE is its wholly owned power generation and distribution subsidiary.
Media Contact
Aurel Witt
Tel. +49 385 633 1191
aurel.witt(at)swsn.de
About the University of Rostock (Chair for Electrical Energy Supply)
The Chair for Electrical Energy Supply at the University of Rostock runs load flow and stability calculations on the UCTE power grid with a focus on feed-in from renewable energies. Based on realistic dynamic grid models, the Chair researches technical aspects of the liberalization of the electricity market and analyzes the effects of different disruption scenarios.
Contact University of Rostock
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Weber
Tel. +49 381 498-7100
harald.weber(at)uni-rostock.de