Siemens Energy has partnered with TenneT, a grid operator in Germany and the Netherlands, to provide three grid stabilization systems for the German grid, two of which are synchronous adjusting camera systems and one is the world’s first reactive compensation system equipped with supercapacitors (static reactive compensation + frequency Stabilizer, referred to as “SVC PLUS FS”). This is also the first application of the new technology of the system.

Synchronous camera system is mainly composed of generator and flywheel. The generator can drive the flywheel to rotate and store kinetic energy, and then feed active power into the grid when needed to ensure the stability of the power system. Siemens Energy will build synchronous modulation systems in the German cities of Great Krozenburg in Hesse and Vergassen in North Rhine-Westphalia. Currently, TenneT is modernizing the substation in Vergason, while modernizing the substation in Grand Klotzenburg will take place in the next few years. After the renovation, the two substations will become important power grid hubs to meet the needs of energy transformation.

The third system, SVC PLUS FS, enables short-term energy storage through supercapacitors. Supercapacitors can achieve rapid charge and discharge in a short period of time, which can extract up to 200 megawatts of power from the grid, and can also feed the stored electricity into the grid, so that the entire system has rapid response capability, thus playing the role of the system “frequency stabilizer”.

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Compared to conventional battery storage solutions, SVC PLUS FS can respond to grid fluctuations more quickly, while taking up only one-third of the space of battery storage solutions. Siemens Energy plans to build the system at its Mehrum power plant in Lower Saxony, Germany. Lower Saxony is currently the largest producer of onshore wind energy in Germany, so grid expansion in the state is an important prerequisite for a reliable electricity supply.

Tim Holt, member of the Executive Committee of Siemens Energy AG, said: “The resilience of the European power grid is one of the key advantages of ensuring a secure supply of electricity and contributing to regional prosperity. To ensure that European grids continue to leverage this strength in the future, investing in grid stability is essential. We must do this quickly, because the energy transition is not only about replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy, but also about delivering electricity reliably to the end consumer. That’s why this project is so important.”

In addition to generating electricity, traditional power plants can also automatically stabilize the power grid through physical behavior, thereby improving the stability of the power grid system. With the advancement of energy transformation, more and more traditional power generation is replaced by distributed renewable energy generation. As a result, transmission system operators must find alternatives to deliver more power while ensuring grid stability. The three systems, supplied by Siemens Energy, are scheduled to be completed commissioning and commissioning in 2025.