Photo credit: esi-africa.com
SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMC), one of the main electricity suppliers to the Philippines' national power grid, has partnered with ABB to install battery storage systems (BESS) as part of its nationwide BESS project.
In countries like the Philippines, several challenges negatively impact network performance, such as: B. the length of the power lines that are required to connect the various island groups, as well as the intermittent energy supply from wind and solar energy, which must be stored as a frequency controller. The BESS solution, according to ABB the largest of its kind in the region, is therefore designed to avoid large frequency deviations that can lead to costly equipment damage and disruptive power outages.
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In addition to increasing grid reliability, the system will support the Philippines' ambitious plans to decarbonize power generation and ensure that 54% of the energy mix comes from renewable sources by 2040.
Alessandro Palin, President of ABB's Distribution Solutions division, explains: “Battery storage systems are changing the market, driving the diffusion of renewable energy solutions and helping to improve grid performance around the world. In support of ABB's sustainability commitments for 2030, pioneering solutions like the one in the Philippines will ensure grids are more stable and the reliability challenges associated with moving to a stronger mix of renewable energies are met. “
The contract won with ABB in 2019 includes two 20 MW sites and a further 40 MW site, which is scheduled to go into operation in 2021. The remaining locations will go into operation in 2022.
A system will support the local network on Luzon, the largest and most populous island in the archipelago, and the island of Visayas. Both rapidly developing regions will benefit from BESS under the government's “Build, Build, Build” program, which aims to establish a “golden age of infrastructure” to boost industry and tourism.
The Philippine project uses ABB's proprietary software platform ABB Ability Zenon as an intuitive interface to the BESS that enables users to make real-time decisions based on network parameters to ensure performance stability.
The scalable and modular building block design includes an integrated combination of energy storage modules and power distribution devices, the capacity of which can be increased or reduced depending on the location requirements.
The BESS includes the provision of battery housings, ABB EcoFlex eHouse, UniGear ZS1 medium voltage switchgear, integrated skid units, transformers and inverters in a single skid with a grid connection.