Siemens Energy is to deliver the first-ever hybrid combined grid stabilisation and large-scale battery storage plant at Shannonbridge in Ireland. This is believed to be the first time these two technologies have been combined into one, single grid connection to stabilise the grid and make better use of renewable energy.
The installation consists of synchronous condenser technology, which uses a generator with a flywheel connected, to provide rotating mass and power reserve, coupled with a large-scale battery energy storage system. The system can almost instantly compensate for frequency fluctuations and strengthens the stability of the grid.
At the same time the large-scale battery energy storage system with a capacity of around 160MWh can provide a solution to maximise use of the renewable energy.
Siemens Energy’s scope includes the synchronous condenser, with its flywheel that can deliver around 4000 MWs of inertia on to the system, and the large-scale battery energy storage system, as well as power conversion systems, energy management system and medium voltage equipment. The order will be worth around €85m for Siemens Energy and work has already begun on site.
Ireland aims to reach net-zero by 2050 and to reduce emissions by 51% by the end of the decade, so it is significantly increasing use of renewable energy. In addition to carbon emission reduction targets, the country is also experiencing significantly growing electricity demand, in part due to its global digital and data hosting industry.
The current market mechanism in Ireland allows operators to sell services like inertia, short circuit power and reactive power as provided by the synchronous condenser technology to the transmission system operator. To support this, Siemens Energy will also provide an energy management system allowing the customer to respond to market demands and power needs in real-time.
Image courtesy of Siemens Energy
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