Briefs: Companies Partner for Grid Stability and Storage

As rising electricity demand and intermittent renewable energy sources strain grid stability, energy storage systems are increasingly emerging as a critical solution. Several companies have seized the opportunity by partnering with innovative technologies and projects to meet the need.

In Europe, Sungrow and Frank Energy are joining to develop a virtual power plant dispatch system. Hitachi Energy and Samsung C&T are teaming up to provide high-voltage AC technologies for grid infrastructure. In Illinois, Rivian’s used electric vehicle batteries will power an energy storage system constructed by Redwood Materials. In Switzerland, Kraftwerke Oberhasli has hired Voith to supply turbines for a pumped-storage facility.

Renewable energy, energy storage, and power grids.

Sungrow and Frank Energy Partner for European VPP

iSolarCloud, Sungrow’s operations and maintenance platform, has entered a strategic partnership with the European energy provider Frank Energy to create a virtual power plant (VPP) dispatch system across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

iSolarCloud enables technical integration with Frank Energy’s VPP platform, aggregating assets, such as residential solar and energy storage, into a resource that enables participation in the European electricity market.

The iSolarCloud. Image used courtesy of iSolarCloud/Sungrow

The iSolarCloud Developer Platform uses secure APIs to allow third-party VPP aggregators to access device data and send dispatch commands. The system will use real-time price signals to automatically charge batteries when prices are low and discharge power back to the grid when prices are high, reducing user costs and helping to stabilize the grid.

Hitachi, Samsung Collaborate for High-Voltage Grid Infrastructure

Hitachi Energy and Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction Group have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) grid infrastructure. The agreement will leverage Hitachi Energy’s expertise in grid technologies and electrical systems and Samsung C&T’s engineering, procurement, and construction delivery experience.

The companies will develop a shared roadmap for opportunities to develop HVAC technologies worldwide. They have previously collaborated on high-voltage DC (HVDC) projects. Utilities typically use HVAC transmission to transmit electrical power over distances, such as from power plants to substations.

Hitachi Energy stated that HVAC solutions are critical to modernizing infrastructure to meet power demand from data centers, industries, and e-mobility.

Rivian and Redwood To Create Every Storage System With Used EV Batteries

Electric vehicle maker Rivian and Redwood Materials are partnering to use second-life EV batteries to create an energy storage system (ESS) at Rivian’s manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois. The ESS will store up to 10 MWh of electricity for the factory’s use, reducing costs and contributing to grid stability.

Redwood will integrate more than 100 of Rivian’s used EV battery packs into the ESS using its Redwood Pack Manager technology. Once completed, Rivian will be able to draw energy from the ESS during peak demand periods, reducing costs and relieving grid stress.

Recovering a used battery pack. Image used courtesy of Redwood Materials

Repurposing EV batteries is cheaper and more sustainable than using new lithium-ion batteries. The reused batteries are domestically sourced, lessen the need for critical metals, and reduce landfill waste. Redwood Materials states that used EV batteries typically retain from 50% to 80% of their original capacity.

Kraftwerke Oberhasli and Voith Contract for Pumped Storage Project in Switzerland

Kraftwerke Oberhasli (KWO) has contracted with Voith to supply two variable-speed pump turbines for the Grimsel 4 pumped storage project in Switzerland. Each turbine has a capacity of 70 MW, along with the motor generators.

The turbine units will increase pumping and generation capacity at Grimsel 4 and provide flexible storage to assist with grid stability. Since they use variable-speed technology, they can respond more easily to fluctuations in renewable energy generation.

Location of Grimsel 4. Image used courtesy of KWO

The Grimsel 4 pumped storage plant, in planning stages, is the latest expansion of the Grimsel hydroelectricity facility, which includes 13 power plants and 8 major reservoirs. It generates 2,200-2,400 GWh annually, enough electricity to supply about 1.2 million people in the area.