Page 36 - Apmor 2018

energy energy storage

programming, provides seamless support for and municipalities helping expedite permits Beyond The Battery: Energy Storage
loads. The system also allows the operator and grid interconnection. The projects used System Components
to request that the batteries be equalized both small and large central storage inverters.
in charge and enables the storage system to All three projects utilized Eaton grid connection Regardless of the battery technology used,
respond to real and reactive power commands switchgear and medium voltage transformers. the electrical system supporting large-scale
from the utility, helping the utility test its Tomorrow: Amsterdam ArenA To Use energy storage projects looks largely the same;
smart-grid control algorithms. grid-tied power conversion systems, electrical
Recycled Batteries balance of system equipment to connect to
the utility grid or facility and the controller that

The intelligent energy storage In November 2016, the Amsterdam intelligently manages it.
system along with the dispatchable ArenA signed a ten-year contract Inverters play a crucial role in storage projects
and provide the direct interface with the
generators create a high-reliability with The Mobility House, Nissan batteries. The inverter charges and discharges
feeder, which can detect faults and Eaton to provide back-up the batteries and also provides the expected
and island the medium voltage power from a mix of second-life grid regulation functions, complying with
feeder, helping to improve service and new batteries. appropriate power quality requirements
reliability. and supporting the grid during abnormal
This system will be used for a host of purposes, conditions with high, low and frequency ride-
including: to provide back-up power services through functions.
Inside the high-reliability zone, a 2.5-mile to the arena; to enable the arena to power Much like in solar PV plants, large-scale storage
smart feeder system provides reliable power the surrounding neighborhood in the case of projects use either large central inverters or
for residential, commercial and light industrial a grid outage; to function as an emergency rely on many smaller inverters. Typically, large
customers. Additionally, the energy storage power supply, capture peaks in energy demand storage inverters range from 500 to 2500 kW,
system has sufficient capacity to support and support grid stability through frequency are mounted on a concrete pad or skid and
the microgrid for several minutes, creating a regulation, load shifting and PV usage are rated for the outdoors. Smaller storage
backup power supply. optimization. inverters range from 50 to 250 kW, are rated
In 2012, this system was at the forefront of Approximately one third of the batteries for the indoors and installed on the floor or a
smart grid technologies that are helping build used on the project will be repurposed from rack.
the intelligent DERs of today while continuing previously used EVs. Once complete, the The electrical solutions supporting energy
to deliver value for the utility’s customers. 3-MW/2.8-MWh system will be the largest storage include everything from the AC and
Today: Fast-tracking Energy Storage in energy storage system powered in part by DC switching and protection to medium-
second-life batteries used by a commercial
Southern California business in Europe. voltage transformers to step up voltage to the
In Southern California, energy storage systems utility level. Typically, the utility dictates the
requirements for switchgear and metering.
from two different developers totaling about
39.5 MW were built in late 2016 to provide The xStorage Building System used
critical grid support and capacity services. The by the Amsterdam ArenA efficiently
first, a 2-MW/8-MWh project in Irvine was part stores and distributes energy when An energy storage system controller
of the Southern California Edison 2016 Aliso it is needed and supports frequency is the interface between the battery
Canyon Energy Storage Resources Adequacy management system (BMS) and the
(RA) Only solicitation. regulation, peak shaving and utility or building control system
battery-backup for events.
The second 30-MW/120-MWh system was and supports specific application
built in Escondido with a third, 7.5-MW requirements like frequency
installation in El Cajon. The system powers four on-site electrical regulation, renewable firming, load
All three systems were built in response to the distribution feeders and utility connected shifting, or demands made to the
CPUC’s order to Southern California investor- transformers. Shipments of the energy storage system.
owned utilities to fast-track energy storage system are expected to start in late 2017.
in order to provide better regional energy Storage Is Growing
reliability.
Whether replacing a critical fuel source Best practices for energy storage control
The lithium-ion battery projects are balancing or acting like an on-demand power plant systems dictate that they are modular and
renewable generation so that local stored - residential, commercial and industrial scalable when designed for large-scale, utility
energy resources can be tapped based on customers are all taking advantage of the applications. Modularity is important so that
regional electrical demand. The projects are massive benefits provided by utility-scale the system has the flexibility to expand its
installed in areas to help mitigate the threat of energy storage systems. control to other forms of DERs. The controller
electricity service interruptions to critical load for the energy storage system typically needs
areas.
These electrical solutions are now proven in the ability to operate in both grid-connected
The systems were developed, manufactured, projects of large scope, and are providing a and islanded modes.
installed and commissioned in about six model for utilities around the world to optimize John Vernacchia is a segment manager for
months, thanks to the developers, local utilities the use of renewable energy. renewables at Eaton.

36 | AFRICAN POWER Mining & Oil Review Vol 21, Issue 20, 2017