Innovative energy storage system services to increase the quality and efficiency of electricity use

Project title

Name of Beneficiary/Beneficiaries

Enea Operator

Name of programme

Smart Growth Operational Programme

Competition

Sectoral R&D programmes

Project value

PLN 7,238,690.00

Funding value

PLN 3,195,488.26

Project delivery period

from 02-11-2017 to 30-12-2021

See the result of our work

EOP energy storage

Video

What problem does our project solve?

In line with established EU policy, the dynamic development of the RES and electromobility sectors is underway. This has to do with the emergence of new power and energy flow characteristics. Changes are also influenced by the planned introduction of new quality regulations in the energy market.

The aim of the project was to develop and test technologies based on distributed electricity storage that would enable system services to be provided in low-voltage networks for distribution system operators (DSOs).

The project has resulted in energy storage facilities installed at selected points on the network, which have significantly reduced the operating costs of on-load tap changer voltage regulation. The ability to provide the reactive power compensation service offered by the storage facilities is also used to reduce technical losses.

By using appropriate control algorithms for the energy storage interface, the negative impact of RES and fast charging stations can be reduced. This occurs as a result of improved dynamic performance at the point of connection. The resulting improvement in the voltage swing factor and short-lived flicker factor enables an increase in the number of available RES sites and fast charging stations, without the need to invest in network infrastructure. The development of an innovative and efficient way of storing energy at the low-voltage level has also proved particularly important in an era of rapid development of prosumer micro-installations.

As envisaged, five prototype energy storages were developed with the most promising technologies: lithium-iron LFP batteries, lithium-titanium LTO batteries, acid VRLA batteries, EDLC supercapacitors, LIC supercapacitors of 100kW each. The storages were installed at MV and LV transformer stations and connected to the LV distribution network of Enea Operator in Opalenica, Pogorzelica, Gubin, Bydgoszcz and Zielona Góra.

Who is going to benefit from the project results?

The target audience for the project's products are distribution system operators (DSOs). The tests carried out by Enea Operator are a preliminary stage for the large-scale deployment of energy storage on the low and medium voltage grid. They will also be objects of further research by providing system services at connection points. Their tasks are RES power stabilisation, voltage regulation of active and reactive power, reactive power and distortion compensation, power stabilisation of restless loads and load symmetry, power reduction on demand.

The implementation of an innovation that will lead to the launch of an improved method of energy storage at LV level at Enea Operator is a key action from the point of view of improving the quality of electricity and grid reliability. Consequently, this translates into an improvement in the quality and safety of the services offered to date.