RWE's Ultra-Fast Battery System Bolsters Dutch Grid Stability
Netherlands, Tuesday, 10 September 2024.
RWE is deploying an innovative 7.5 MW ultra-fast battery storage system in Moerdijk, Netherlands, to enhance power grid stability. Set for commissioning in late 2024, this technology will provide crucial inertia, traditionally supplied by conventional power plants, to support the integration of renewable energy sources.
Enhancing Grid Stability
The ultra-fast battery storage system by RWE in Moerdijk is designed to address the challenges posed by the increasing share of renewable energy in the power grid. As conventional power plants are phased out, the inertia provided by their rotating masses diminishes. This inertia is essential for maintaining grid stability by balancing supply and demand. RWE’s new system can provide immediate reserves by either delivering or withdrawing electricity within milliseconds, thus ensuring the grid remains stable and reliable.
Technical Specifications and Capabilities
Installed at the Moerdijk Power Plant, the battery system boasts an impressive capacity of 7.5 MW and a storage capacity of 11 MWh. Utilizing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries housed in three shipping containers, the system connects to the high-voltage grid through the existing infrastructure. The advanced control technology and inverters with grid-forming functionality enable the battery storage system to take over several key functions traditionally performed by conventional power plants, such as providing instant reserve power and stabilizing the grid.
Pilot Phase and Future Prospects
Upon its commissioning at the end of 2024, the system will undergo a two-year pilot phase. During this period, RWE will collaborate with TenneT, the Dutch transmission system operator, to refine the technical requirements and ensure grid compliance for the grid-forming functionalities. This pilot phase is crucial for validating the system’s performance and potential contribution to grid stability before it becomes fully operational.
Broader Impact on the Energy Transition
Marinus Tabak, COO of RWE Generation and RWE Country Chair for the Netherlands, emphasizes the innovative nature of this project. ‘Our new battery is innovative because it does more than just store energy. With this project, we are testing the delivery of inertia through a battery storage system in the continental European grid. Such systems will play an important role in balancing modern electricity grids in the future, especially as we increasingly switch to renewable energy and decentralized energy systems across Europe,’ he said[1].
RWE’s Commitment to Renewable Energy
This project is part of RWE’s broader strategy to support the transition to renewable energy. By developing and deploying advanced battery storage systems, RWE aims to mitigate the intermittency of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. The integration of such storage solutions into the grid not only enhances reliability but also supports the overall sustainability goals by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Future Developments
Looking ahead, the development of even larger battery storage systems is on the horizon. For instance, the largest battery in the Netherlands is set to be built in Delfzijl next year, with a capacity of 300 MW. Such advancements indicate a significant shift towards more resilient and sustainable energy systems, underlining the importance of continued innovation in battery storage technologies.