Section A Ι Integration of Renewables

Thursday, 22 September 2016, 11:00-11:30h/A04

Large scale storage options under special consideration of 6x15 MW battery example

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang A. Benesch, STEAG Energy Services GmbH and Christian Karalis, STEAG GmbH

The energy transition process in Germany is heavily accelerating. The renewable share in electricity generation is growing fast. But this kind of electricity is unfortunately often not produced in the right location and / or at the appropriate time. How to solve this problem is today a quite emotional discussion. Coming back to technical and economical boundary conditions, different solutions could be discussed.

There is no doubt, backup power is needed. This could be solved by efficient coal fired power stations. As well gas fired combined cycle plants could help, but today the too high gas prices are not encouraging to go that way. A total different answer is given by storage systems. In that case different technologies and their pros and cons have to be considered. How far are they for example able to bridge the so called dark slack?

Another topic of the current energy transition is the possibility to offer flexibility and system services for the grid operator. Also in this case new technologies like battery systems can take additional responsibilities to support the extension of renewables. In this field the development is quite fast and the products are ready for the market.

STEAG is following both routes. As a result of the experience gained during the joint project LESSY, a 1-MW-battery-storage in container design, STEAG invested in 15 MW battery systems at six locations.

The large battery systems of STEAG follow the current criteria for primary frequency control. Amongst others the minimum duration of supplying the load over 30 minutes is fulfilled. This is an important contribution for stabilizing the grid. The overall capacity of the six storage systems is 90 MW, the investment reaches 100Mio €. Subsidies are not provided.

The first units had been connected now to the grid. In the presentation the latest experience about that project and the whole back up power options from STEAG point of view will be given.