Next-gen fuel cells key to Finnish renewable energy system

The smart grid, earmarked by the Finnish government as a key project in helping the country achieve its national energy targets for decarbonisation, will be powered by a 4MW solar photovoltaic array, an 8MW biogas engine and a battery to deliver a secure and reliable power supply for approximately 50 businesses in the industrial district of Marjamäki, south-western Finland.

Under the recently signed agreement, the two fuel cell co-generation systems built by Convion will be integrated into the smart grid in the district. At the heart of the combined heat and power (CHP) systems with a total electrical output of 116kW are Elcogen’s next generation of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks.

The unique LEMENE project showcases low-carbon energy generation, energy storage and smart controls, combining to provide a self-sufficient district energy solution.

The LEMENE system has been highlighted by the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (MEAE) as an energy solution that can help Finland achieve its national targets and those set by the European Union for 2030.

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä’s government has called for increasing the use of renewable energy to more than 50% during the 2020s and self-sufficiency to more than 55%.

Lempäälä Energia CEO Toni Laakso said: “The LEMENE system will operate mainly as part of the public electrical grid but can also operate as a supporting reserve system for the public electrical grid, or independently off-grid, on demand.

“The LEMENE smart grid will feature a variety of smart technologies that will respond to changing electric demand, enabled by automation solutions adapted to the micro-grid. An important part of the project is to secure energy availability as renewable energy production varies.

“In conjunction with the solar array and battery storage, the LEMENE system also required a highly-efficient combined heat and power system from Convion that would convert biogas to generate electricity and heat to supply nearby businesses.”

Convion CEO Erkko Fontell said: “The LEMENE project provides us a great opportunity to demonstrate highly efficient and clean power generation based on Convion fuel cell products. The project is a unique example of a future power solution, where requirements for energy efficiency, power security and sustainability are met.

“It shows how Convion fuel cells can be part of future smart grids, where different energy sources and a network of distributed solutions revolutionise how we produce electricity.”

Elcogen CEO Enn Õunpuu said: “We’re excited that Elcogen’s next generation fuel cell technology is at the heart of this renewable energy smart grid system that can demonstrate how to decarbonise Europe’s energy markets and deliver self-sufficiency for residential and commercial power.

“This key renewable energy project will serve as an exceptional opportunity to explore how a larger scale smart grid functions in conjunction with the current electricity market, while generating 100 per cent renewable power from solar and bio-gas sources.”