Intensium Max Li-ion system provides Megawatt level Energy Storage

Endesa, which is part of the Enel Group and Spain’s largest electric utility, is heading the 11 million euro STORE project which is partially funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness’ CDTI. The aim of the STORE project is to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of large-scale energy storage as a solution to reduce the need for grid infrastructure upgrades and to lower system operation costs, and to further increase the penetration of intermittent renewable generation within power networks. This project will also contribute to the penetration of electric vehicles on the Canary Islands.

‘Energy storage is one of the new paradigms that will determine the direction of the electricity business in the medium term.’ says Pablo Fontela Martinez, Project Manager STORE, Endesa. ‘The constant growth in renewable energy generation on the Canary Islands places a much greater load on their transmission infrastructures and electrical distribution, while the nature of the local geography makes it extremely difficult to carry out traditional upgrading projects. Installing Saft’s ESS on Gran Canaria is an ideal opportunity to evaluate the technical and economic viability of this innovative solution by making reserves of energy available in isolated locations, distribution substations and even for energy arbitrage.’

For the STORE project, Saft will deliver a fully integrated turn-key ESS based on Intensium Max 20 containerized systems (comprising Li-ion battery modules, power management and control interfaces, air conditioning and safety devices) together with the appropriate power conversion system for connection to Gran Canaria’s grid. Together, the entire system will deliver 3 MWh of energy to help smooth the peak demand on a substation and compensate for the intermittent production of wind farms and solar photovoltaic installations, as well as delivering ancillary services such as network frequency and voltage control.

“We are delighted to be working with Endesa on this innovative project” says Guy-Patrick de Broglie, SAFT ESS Business Unit Sales Director for Europe & Asia. “We believe that Li-ion technology is an excellent solution to support increasing penetration of renewable energy and especially to meet island grid requirements.”

The Intensium Max 20 containerized systems will be manufactured at Saft’s specialized Li-ion facility in Bordeaux, France, for delivery at the end of 2012.