Using energy storage to stabilise grids and increase revenues

Context

Today, electric networks are facing unprecedented challenges. Increasing security concerns, more frequent natural disasters, and growing shares of renewables are adding stress to these networks. Despite these challenges, reliability and energy resiliency remain critical requirements for consumers. There are new solutions based on energy storage, smart automation, and controls that keep electricity flowing— by reducing curtailment of local renewable generators and providing continuous power to residences and businesses.

Approach

A recent ABB Grid Edge Solution in South Australia demonstrates how e-mesh control, management, automation, and the PowerStore Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) improve reliability and resilience in the network. The project brings in new revenue streams from both the local network and national energy market. With this solution, the ESCRI (Energy Storage for Commercial Renewable Integration) project drastically reduced outages from 8 hours down to 30 minutes within its first six months of operation. The e-mesh solution limits curtailment from the 91 MW Wattle Point Wind Farm and more than 2 MW of distributed rooftop solar panels. The solution improved local network reliability to minimize renewable curtailment, maximize reliability, and reduce operating costs. ABB’s 30 MW e-mesh PowerStore with intelligent control and automation was a key technology for the ESCRI project.

Outcomes and conclusions

 ESCRI began serving more than 100 km of radial feeder in South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula in late 2018. Prior to the e-mesh solution, local energy consumers had been suffering from reliability issues due to frequent lightning strikes and network fragility. It also enables the local network to island when the larger South Australian grid has problems. While islanded, customers in the local network continue to receive secure, reliable power from 100% renewable sources.

The solution enables value stacking to the power grid:

Ancillary services, including frequency and voltage support

Provide energy services in the national market

Secure, autonomous operation of the local network 

Grid-forming inverter featuring proprietary intelligence for seamless transition to island

Reliable, resilient power for local network customers

Reduced wind farm and distributed rooftop solar PV curtailment

Black start capability