Centralised Storage Systems - How to Support Energy Storage as the Key to Increase Renewable Energy
Our partner from cyberGRID Project Manager, Darja Skrt, gave a presentation at the Energy Storage Global Conference 2021, focusing on the cost-effective integration of renewables and energy storage systems, in the example of our EU-funded project TALENT.
Renewables as an EU Directive
The European Commission has set a challenging directive: to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by a hefty 55% by the year 2030, and to arrive at zero net emissions by the year 2050. Provided the compliance of all EU member states, this directive is a forward-looking step in cleaning up the electrical grid: The next generation of European citizens will actually experience full climate neutrality, and fossil-fuelled electricity will be a mere memory of the past!
Producing electricity from solar power or wind is no longer a favourite pastime for environmental enthusiasts. The decarbonisation of the electrical grid through renewables has become of utmost priority for everyone, making a binding regulation for all EU members necessary. Its urgency is so pressing that violation of the directive will be punished with enormous penalty payments.
Batteries for climate neutrality
The transition from carbon-heavy electricity to a clean supply based entirely on renewable energies must take place swiftly, yet without compromising the reliability of electricity supply. To achieve these demanding but pivotal climate goals, energy storage systems represent a key technology, because they turn the unpredictable nature of solar and wind power into a consistent and stable energy pool.
In fact, batteries are an excellent resource to utilize the variable renewable energy generation. Their unique ability to quickly respond to the changing supply and demand for electricity make batteries an important vehicle to deliver stability to the grid.
Storage for distribution system operators
While more renewable energy resources are being integrated into the grid to supply carbon-neutral electricity, they also help to satisfy the growing demand for power. Therefore, large aggregators and energy distributors rely increasingly on large-scale battery storage systems as essential elements in their grids, not only to facilitate the decarbonisation of the existing power system, but also to balance the grid.
In fact, electricity system operators greatly benefit from storage systems, because the renewable energy stored in the battery can quickly provide support for the reliability of the electricity supply, and to maintain a 50Hz frequency. In other words, batteries allow for renewable energies to achieve their full and multi-purpose potential in the grid.
Promising market for batteries
With the growing demand for energy, the demand for all types of batteries is expected to skyrocket worldwide from 185 GWh in 2020 to over 2,000 GWh by 2030, as forecasted by Statista 2021. Although this sharp increase is largely driven by the ongoing electrification of transport, the growth for stationary energy storage capacity as used in electrical grids is similarly large. So, as Europe aims to be the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050, regional aggregators are increasingly looking to invest in large-scale storage systems.
cyberGRID at Energy Storage Global Conference
TALENT partner, cyberGRID, was invited to speak at the Energy Storage Global Conference. The 3-day conference was an excellent opportunity for energy suppliers and battery players to discuss and present the most current storage technologies and markets of the future.
Organized by EASE, the European Association for Storage of Energy, the hybrid event also provided a centre stage to showcase innovative applications of battery power in real-life applications and projects. Best practice examples and sessions on regulatory and policy frameworks are particularly relevant to demonstrate the viability and profitability of battery-led endeavours.
In the session entitled “Centralised Storage Systems - How to Support Energy Storage as the Key to Increase Renewable Energy”, cyberGRID Project Manager Darja Skrt gave a presentation on the cost-effective integration of batteries into the grid, in the example of our EU-funded R&D project TALENT.
How batteries are implemented in project TALENT
EU-funded project TALENT aims to aid the energy transition by increasing the penetration of batteries in the grid through the cost reduction of power electronics for batteries and development of the software managing hybridised decentralised energy systems.
When connected to a virtual power plant software, batteries can really materialize the benefits from renewables, as system algorithms smartly optimise the use of battery capacities and dispatch the energy previously stored in times of surplus (sunny and windy days).
By means of cyberGRID’s modular award-winning flexibility management software (*), the various energy resources plus battery storage systems are pooled into such a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) which can deliver quick and on-demand power from batteries to support the electricity grid when necessary.
TALENT accomplishment
TALENT will offer reliable storage equipment at lower price and put the European electric storage market as a frontrunner for the energy transition. This will allow a wide integration of renewable energy generation sources. Here, the technology developed by Austrian cleantech company cyberGRID plays a key role in connecting and optimizing renewable energy assets, battery systems and other resources.
The integration of batteries in a cost-effective manner is made possible with TALENT tools. With them, batteries can operate more efficiently, which helps to extend battery life and use of this asset. As a result, aggregators and other battery operators can reap the benefits from their storage system for a longer time, also positively impacting their balance sheet. In addition, extending the life of batteries leads to the saving of natural resources, as replacement of battery units is delayed.
Together with TALENT partners, cyberGRID is fully engaged in supporting the European-wide efforts for a greener, carbon-neutral future.
Authors: Nicole Klyma and Darja Skrt, cyberGRID
