Grid reliability and operability using flexible storage

GROW-DERS

Connecting newly developed sustainable and dispersed energy resources to the electricity distribution networks has significant implications for the management of these networks. Problems are liable to arise with stability, security, supply and demand peaks, and overall management.

Many technical and economic issues associated with the large-scale introduction of distributed and sustainable energy sources can be resolved by using electricity storage systems. However, end users are not showing much interest in the deployment of storage technologies. This is probably attributable to lack of familiarity with the techniques, lack of confidence, and uncertainty about the costs and benefits. Moreover, network components are designed for a technical and economic service life of 40 years, and this also encourages conservatism.

Project
GROW-DERS offers a solution involving transportable and flexible storage based on newly developed power electronics. This innovative project provides an opportunity to gain operational experience and demonstrates the technical feasibility and economic viability of storage systems. At four sites, three different storage systems and a combination set-up will be evaluated using a technical-economic assessment tool that incorporates intelligent prediction software. Transportable storage serves as a flexible network management resource, which offers the prospects of deferring expenditure on expensive switchgear and avoiding asset stranding.

Objectives
The scientific and technological objectives of GROW-DERS are
> Realization of a transportable flexible storage system
> Realization of an assessment tool for optimal distribution network management
> Description of concept directions for EU regulatory framework

The consortium provides four different test sites within the project. Each of the storage systems is being tested at a minimum of two different sites, thus providing the proof that storage systems can be transported and operated in various locations. The project will realize three transportable flexible storage systems and assessment tool for optimal distribution network management, and it will complete a description of concept directions for the EU regulatory framework.

Project coordinator
> KEMA, the Netherlands

Project partners
> Liander, the Netherlands
> Iberdrola, Spain
> MVV, Germany
> Exendis, the Netherlands

Project details
> EU Sixth Framework Program
> Duration: September 2007 – June 2011