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Over 200 battery stakeholders from all over Europe, as well as national and regional representatives from Member States and EU institutions, attended the BatteRIes Europe launch event on 25 June 2019.
As BatteRIes Europe's project partner, EASE moderated a panel discussion on the R&I needs for Europe in the battery field. Mr Patrick Clerens, EASE Secretary General, also introduced the keynote speech of the Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič, who stressed the relevance of BatteRIes Europe for reaching the EU's decarbonisation goals and stressed the support of the European Commission.
I am pleased to say that industry has picked up this challenge with investments and projects announced – and launched – throughout the whole value chain. […] I can assure you the institutions will continue to advance work on the conditions, the incentives and the enabling framework to ensure transition to a climate-neutral EU.
Vice-President of the European Commission
Maroš Šefčovič
BatteRIes Europe is the new European Technology and Innovation Platform on Batteries, aimed at fostering research, innovation and knowledge sharing across the European battery value chain, engaging a broad range of stakeholders from industry, research and associations, along with European and National regulatory and funding authorities. Its function is to be the driver of the R&I ecosystem by linking battery research initiatives and stakeholders networks to create synergies for batteries in Europe, building a competitive value chain. Batteries Europe will gravitate around six Working Groups and a National and Regional Coordination Group, led by a Secretariat of partner institutions and the Commission.
The event was a good opportunity for Working Groups to initiate and set in motion an action plan for the next 6 and 12 months. Their work will continue in the next years, supported by the National and Regional Coordination Group as well as the Secretariat and the EU Commission, and will play a very significant role on the contribution of batteries to the decarbonisation of the EU energy system.
EASE is looking forward to oversee the synergies created by the platform, which will be part of the battery value chain of the future.
We are proud to announce the launch of the fourth annual Student Award, recognising outstanding graduate student research in the field of energy storage.
The winning student will be a guest at the EASE Annual Event and an EASE-organised workshop, which will take place in Brussels on 20 and 21 November 2019. He or she will be recognised during the Annual Event and will be invited to present their research to the EASE members. In addition, EASE will cover transportation to and from Brussels as well as accommodation for the winning student for 2 nights in Brussels. This is a valuable opportunity to network with industry leaders in the energy storage sector and to learn more about energy storage technologies, business cases, and policy developments.
The selection of the winning student will be done by the EASE Secretariat and a selected committee of members. The selection procedure is based on the abstracts provided by students in the application form. Students will be judged on the quality of the responses, the research design, and on the relevance of the research topic to the Energy Storage industry. The winner will be informed by early October 2019.
Applicants must either currently be enrolled as a student or have completed an MSc or PhD programme at an accredited EU university between July 2018 and July 2019. The thesis which is the basis for the application must focus on an energy storage-related topic. Eligible papers are BSc or MSc theses submitted during the above mentioned period. EASE will be able to evaluate abstracts written in English, but the thesis papers could also be in German or French. For papers written in other languages, applicants are asked to contact the EASE Secretariat prior to submitting their application to verify whether the Secretariat has the requisite language skills.
Applicants must be available to travel to Brussels to attend the EASE events on 20-21 November 2019. Applicants from outside the EU should already be in possession of a valid visa allowing them to travel to Belgium in November 2019. EASE will only cover basic travel and accommodation costs for the event from locations within the EU or candidate countries. By submitting their application, candidates agree to allow their personal data, including the completed thesis, to be shared with EASE members.
Please complete the application form in full (personal information, abstract), attach your (draft) thesis, and return both documents to info@ease-storage.eu no later than Friday 16 August 2019. Candidates who do not comply with the eligibility criteria will be disqualified.
If you have any questions, please contact: Ms Brittney Elzarei, EASE Senior Policy Officer, at +32 2 7432982.
EASE Student Award
Take your chance to be awarded fourth "EASE Student Award" apply by Friday 16 August 2019.
The European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) is glad to extend a warm welcome to its newest member Public Power Corporation (PPC) who joined EASE in May 2019. Mr Ioannis Kopanakis, Chief Development Officer, accepted to discuss with us PPC's expertise in energy storage and expectations from this collaboration with EASE.
EASE: Mr Kopanakis thank you very much for accepting this interview. We are very really happy to have PPC among our members and we would like to know more about your activities in the sector. Could you summarise the most interesting insights from PPC's work for energy storage in Europe?
Mr Kopanakis: Thank you very much for your warm welcoming. It's exciting for us to join Europe's most competent team of storage enthusiasts. Even though PPC has only recently created a dedicated structure for storage as part of its development activities, our company's involvement in storage dates back to 1985 with the installation of the first pumped hydro storage unit of 315 MW capacity in Greek mainland, followed in 1998 by a second such unit of 381 MW capacity. Recently, PPC has put in operation at the non-interconnected island of Ikaria, the second in Europe hybrid station which combines, at a utility scale, wind generation with pumped hydro storage.
EASE: We look forward to a very fruitful collaboration with you and to receive PPC's inputs for our Working Groups and Task Forces. What created the interest from your company to join EASE?
Mr Kopanakis: As I explained in my previous answer, PPC has a long hands-on technical experience on pumped hydro storage installations. Furthermore, PPC, being the largest utility in Greece, holds a broad portfolio of activities, ranging from conventional generation and mining to renewables generation (from hydro, wind and solar power plants), up to the 75% of the retail electricity market in Greece. In Greek islands, in particular, PPC has been for many decades the major electricity generator, while at the same time operating the electricity networks in most of the islands on behalf of the DSO. Storage, being the "Swiss Army knife" of the energy sector, could be integrated with various components of these activities, thus playing an important role in the on-going transformation of our company from a traditional utility to an energy products and services based company. Towards this approach, we value as very positive our participation within EASE bodies and our collaboration with some of the most proactive in Europe fellow-members from the whole value chain of storage.
EASE: What is your vision for how storage can contribute to the energy transition?
Mr Kopanakis: PPC, being the oldest and most important player in the electricity sector in Greece, knows very well the challenges which the industry faces for the transformation from a carbon-intensive practice to a carbon-neutral approach, according to the EU set goals. While we consider that storage and renewables will be the two major pillars of the future electricity sector, the exact ingredients of this mix are unknown at the moment and we consider that, to a large extent, they will be defined during the energy transition period. We value the security of supply as the utmost important parameter in the design and implementation of this transition, with storage offering the necessary buffer needed in the mix of the supply from conventional and renewables units and the demand from all types of consumers.
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Welcome on board INNOLITH
The European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) is glad to extend a warm welcome to its newest member INNOLITH who joined EASE in June 2019.
Mr Alan Greenshields, Chairman of INNOLITH, accepted to discuss with us INNOLITH's expertise in energy storage and expectations from this collaboration with EASE.
EASE: Mr Greenshields thank you very much for accepting this interview. We are very happy to have INNOLITH among our members and we would like to know more about your activities in the sector. Could you summarise the most interesting insights from INNOLITH's work for energy storage in Europe?
Mr Greenshields: Thank you for the warm welcome! We at INNOLITH are very happy to have joined EASE and look forward to contributing to the organisation.
INNOLITH is based in Switzerland, with main R&D procedures on Southern Germany. The technology has been underway for many years – the longest serving members of our R&D team have been working together for 20 years.
We are a technology company focusing on a new class of electrolytes using only non-flammable, inorganic materials. These have been of interest to the scientific community for some time, but it took years of basic research to understand how to apply these to commercially viable rechargeable battery systems.
The first version of the system is a power battery optimised for symmetrical 2C charge 2C discharge with 0-100% SOC window. It has some unusual properties, such as unchanging cell impedance after 55,000 cycles (tested) and a capacity fade mechanism where the longer the battery cycles, the slower the fade rate. It is ideally suited for high cycle / high throughput applications, with projected > 60 GWh throughput energy per MWh of installed capacity.
We have now developed new versions of the technology which provide very high energy densities. Inorganic electrolytes are an excellent basis for high-energy batteries due to their non-flammability and absence of organic materials which can facilitate unwanted side-reactions.
Our core activities are in R&D, product development and production of the core chemistry. This is a new technology platform with considerable scope for further development. Our goal is to facilitate mass-adoption of the system by making it available to partners on a license basis for specific markets and geographies.
EASE: We look forward to a very fruitful collaboration with you and to receive INNOLITH's inputs for our Working Groups and Task Forces. What created the interest of your company to join EASE?
Mr Greenshields: The first commercial application of INNOLITH's technology is a 2MW / 1 MWh system providing Fast Frequency Response services in the PJM Grid (USA) for almost two years. This first version of the battery has delivered best-in-class ratings in competition with conventional batteries.
We would be very happy to use our experience in the PJM market to support discussions on what Europe can learn from the US, including grid-control philosophies and monetisation models.
We are also keen to participate in working groups on Eco Design, sustainability and recycling. Very long product life can make a good contribution to the minimisation of resource consumption.
Finally, we hope to participate in working groups looking into new technologies as our system has properties which can enable new applications.
Mr Greenshields: Simply put, there will be no energy transition without storage.
The storage challenge is principally a commercial one. Bulk storage of energy and construction of electric vehicles with good performance are possible today. The primary issue is that conventional batteries are neither robust enough for harsh, high throughput applications; nor cheap enough for EVs to be lower-cost than conventional vehicles.
We are convinced that inorganic electrolytes will be at the core of the solutions. The cheapest way to resolve the commercial issues is chemical – use chemistry to provide technically sound solutions to safety and life-cycle issues and at the same time push the envelope of feasible energy densities beyond 1 kWh/kg.
Meet EASE at EUSEW 2019
The biggest European event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe is here. The Policy Conference of EUSEW 2019 will take place from 18 to 20 June 2019. EASE representing the voice of the energy storage community, will get involved in essential topics, such as the value of energy storage, the energy transition as a key sector of the economy and clean energy on EU islands. A fascinating quiz about energy storage will also wait for you to discover it.
18 June 2019 | 16:00 – 16:30 | European Commission, Résidence Palace
Our Secretary General, Patrick Clerens will boost the debate with a talk on Energy storage: an essential enabler of the energy transition.
The energy talk will focus on the contribution that the EU energy storage industry is already delivering for a decarbonised energy system, presenting the immense value of storage in helping integrate ever increasing shares of renewables and empowering consumers to directly participate in the energy system.
18 June 2019 | 16:00 – 17:30 | European Commission, Charlemagne, Mansholt
EASE is co-organising a session together with SolarPower Europe, SmartEn, ARE and I-Distributed PV. The Decentralised energy systems: models for a modern EU economy session aims at showcasing innovative business models and prosumers experiences from the ground, and reflect on the best pathways to drive the energy transition of key sectors of the economy while creating additional growth and value for European society.
19 June 2019 | 14:00 – 15:30 | European Commission, Berlaymont, Walter Hallstein
On the next day, EASE organises a session focusing on the challenges and opportunities of Delivering clean energy on EU islands.
The session will kick off with a presentation explaining the major challenges faced by EU islands in their quest to decarbonise. It will explain how islands differ from interconnected energy systems in terms of the technical challenges they face in order to incorporate very high shares of renewables.
18-20 June | 09.00-17.30 | Networking Village, Residence Palace
Last but not least, EASE challenges all EUSEW's participants on "How Much do you Know About Energy Storage?", an online quiz that will assess your knowledge about energy storage technologies, applications, and energy storage projects currently deployed in Europe. Twice per day the Energy Storage Guru with the highest score in the quiz will be awarded a price.
Do not forget to pass by our permanent booth "EASE Energy Storage Corner" in the Networking Village. We will be there to present you the most innovative projects currently developed in Europe.
Beyond the Clean Energy Package: What's Next for the Storage Sector?
On 22 May 2019 EASE organised a workshop on the role of energy storage in the Clean Energy for All Europeans Package, sponsored by Delta-ee.
Almost 100 participants from across the storage industry met in Brussels to debate the practical implications of the Clean Energy for All Europeans Package (CEP), assess the most promising current and emerging business cases for energy storage across Europe, and identify gaps that would require further policy action.
Time to discuss Clean Energy Package implementation
15 speakers from the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors, and the private sector reflected on the storage-related provisions of the CEP. After assessing the new policy framework established by the CEP, the discussion turned to the impact of the Package on energy storage business cases.
Among the various topics, attendees discussed:
To what extent the CEP is going to impact business models for behind-the-meter energy storage.
The changing role of TSOs and DSOs when it comes to energy storage and in particular, how TSOs and DSOs can support the roll-out of energy storage projects to defer or avoid grid investments.
The need for long-term visibility on storage revenue streams.
National policies for energy storage, and the major drivers and barriers to storage in different Member States.
A step forward for the energy storage sector
The workshop offered the perfect setting for a fruitful discussion on the implementation of the CEP. Although speakers noted that the Package is an important step forward for the storage industry, many challenges were identified both by speakers and participants.
For behind-the-meter storage, particular attention was directed towards the need to ensure full participation of active customers in different energy markets and to define clear frameworks for fair and cost-reflective grid fees and tariffs. For front-of-the-meter storage, on the other hand, participants emphasised the need for long-term visibility on storage revenue streams. They also noted the importance of TSOs and DSOs supporting storage deployment, for instance by granting visibility regarding timing and location of grid congestion and other bottlenecks.
Throughout the workshop, speakers and participants emphasised the need for a rapid transposition of the Clean Energy Package in all Member States; the essential role of motivated and progressive TSOs, DSOs, and regulators; and the importance of having a flexible approach that will allow the storage industry to test different ownership and business models.
Going forward, EASE will continue to drive the discussion on the insights related to the changing policy and market environment for energy storage and continue its advocacy efforts to support the deployment of energy storage as a key enabler of a cost-effective transition to a resilient, low-carbon, and secure energy system.
The EASE team would like to thank all speakers and participants, as well as our sponsor, Delta-ee, for making this event possible!
If you missed the Energy Storage in the Clean Energy for all Europeans package workshop but would like to know more about this event, you can purchase the proceedings by contacting Ms Doriana Forleo (d.forleo@ease-strorage.eu).
Four EU-Funded Projects Come Together to Foster Local Energy Communities
On 15 May 2019, in the framework of the MUSE GRIDS project, EASE co-organised the Local Energy Communities Workshop, a one day event to discuss the topic of local energy communities and their implementation in Europe.
The event was a true success, with more than 100 participants from the energy sector and European Institutions fostering the discussion on how sectoral interfaces and integration of multiple technologies can benefit local energy communities.
Brittney Elzarei, EASE Senior Policy Officer, presented energy storage as one of the key technologies for local energy communities and stressed how it is impossible to rely on renewables without flexibility options.
During the day, four roundtables delved into the most pressing problems for local energy communities: technology, regulation, economics and deployment&social acceptance.
EASE would like to thank the 4 projects invoved in this event and their respective coordinators for their hard work and great contributions: Andrej Gubina for COMPILE, Antonis Papanikolau for MERLON, Alessandra Cuneo for MUSE GRIDS and Mia Ala-Juusela for STORY.
Read more about EU-funded projects
EASE is currently involved in several EU-funded projects promoting research, innovation and demonstration in the energy storage sector.
How to Tackle the Flexibility Challenge and Accelerate the Energy Transition
Future energy systems will rely on a wide range of services based on energy storage. Energy storage is a key technology which will play a central role in the decarbonisation of the European economy and it has already brought significant benefits to the current energy system.
The National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) are an excellent opportunity for Member States to examine the current status of energy storage deployment, assess future flexibility needs, and identify the biggest barriers to storage deployment.
Developing a clear strategy to support the development and deployment of all energy storage technologies is essential in order for Member States to achieve their decarbonisation targets for 2030 and beyond. It is, therefore, important to ensure that energy storage is properly considered under the NECPs.
We believe that by including clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess the development of energy storage and committing to put in place specific policies, Member States will be fully equipped to take on the flexibility challenge and thus accelerate the energy transition.
EASE would like to support the drafting of ambitious yet achievable plans that can have a true impact on the energy sector. Therefore, EASE proposes a set of KPIs that Member States could include in their draft plans and that could also help the European Commission when evaluating the draft plans and making recommendations for their amendment.
Read now EASE Open Letter addressing energy storage in the National Energy and Climate Plans
How to Kick-Start Energy Storage Deployment
Over the past several years, EU policymakers have taken important steps towards creating a regulatory framework that is supportive of energy storage. Advocacy by EASE and players from across the energy storage sector has led energy storage to be widely recognised as a key enabling technology for the energy transition.
With the upcoming EU elections, EASE would like to ensure that the European institutions continue to foster the development and deployment of energy storage technologies across Europe. Especially with the recent approval of the Clean Energy for All Europeans Package and the ongoing discussions about the EU's 2050 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Strategy, it is crucial to build on what has been achieved so far.
To this end, EASE members have developed a list of 10 points to kick-start energy storage in Europe, translated into all major European languages. The list reflects the expectations of energy storage stakeholders on the progress that still needs to be made if we want to reach the levels of storage deployment that will be needed to achieve the 2030 and 2050 renewables and decarbonisation targets. This action list is directed at everyone, specialists and non-specialists alike, with the goal of increasing awareness and knowledge about the importance of energy storage and stating what needs to be further improved in terms of policy.
EASE would like to thank all of its members who participated in the internal consultation directed at drafting – and sometimes translating – this document, and looks forward to working with EU policymakers and other stakeholders to achieve a flexible, secure, and efficient energy system.
Here are the 10 points:
EASE would like to thank all of its members who participated in the internal consultation directed at drafting –and sometimes translating- this document, and looks forward to work towards the achievement of all these actions.
Download here the list of 10 points to kick-start energy storage in Europe in the following languages:
Welcome on board EUNICE ENERGY GROUP
The European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) is glad to extend a warm welcome to its newest member EUNICE who joined EASE in March 2019. Mr Olli Kuronen, Chief Financial Officer, accepted to discuss with us EUNICE's expertise in energy storage and expectations from this collaboration with EASE.
EASE: Mr Olli Kuronen, thank you very much for accepting this interview. We are very happy to have EUNICE ENERGY GROUP among our members and we would like to know more about your activities in the sector. Could you summarise the most interesting insights from EUNICE ENERGY GROUP's work for energy storage in Europe?
Mr Olli Kuronen: EUNICE ENERGY GROUP got involved in energy storage applications around 5 years ago when we participated in a public tender for scoping a hybrid renewable energy system with battery storage on a small island in Greece. Later, we became the leading private sector member in the Project TILOS consortium, a high-profile HORIZON 2020 project. TILOS is an innovative hybrid energy system that combines renewable energy, smart grid and battery storage on the Greek island of Tilos. The project placed us at the forefront of the hybrid energy system and storage applications in Europe. TILOS is now fully operational and delivers electricity to the end consumers on the island.
Now we can conclude that the experience as a developer, implementer, owner and operator obtained through TILOS helped us to gain invaluable know-how and expertise in solving regulatory/commercial challenges, as well as, combining renewable energy and storage. One concrete outcome of this is our in-house developed "S4S" energy management software that is in the core of our renewable energy hybrid system concept.
Eunice Energy Group has first-hand expertise in combining renewables and energy storage on island environments, an "Island Re-specialist" if you like. Furthermore, islands are unique and useful environments to learn from "autonomic energy islands", not only technically but also socio-economically. At the moment, we are developing other similar projects in Greece and, as we know, there are hundreds or maybe thousands of islands in Europe where the TILOS approach can be considered and applied.
EASE: We look forward to a very fruitful collaboration with you and to receive EUNICE ENERGY GROUP's input for our Working Groups and Task Forces. What created the interest of your company to join EASE?
Mr Olli Kuronen: Sustainable energy is in the heart of our corporate DNA. We always knew that the development of energy storage technologies is crucial for the considerable increase in renewable energy in the energy systems. As we are now fully involved in the storage concepts, it was important to become a member of the leading industry association with the leading corporate members. Also, we were pleased with EASE's dynamic approach and knowledge in promoting the energy storage industry throughout Europe. In short, EASE is a perfect platform for us to participate in industry dialogue among European companies and institutions.
EASE: What is your vision on how storage can contribute to the energy transition?
Mr Olli Kuronen: Energy storage will have an omnipotent role in the energy market. Storage technologies are developing rapidly whilst also lowering the cost of energy. I think that, just like with any other technical innovations, mankind always underestimates the speed of innovation. A good example of this is the development of battery technology in mobile phones that largely facilitated the introduction of the smartphone revolution.
For us, philosophically speaking, energy storage together with the digital revolution means sustainability, equality and freedom. Energy storage allows the employment of renewable energy in a distributed manner, ultimately leading to a prosumer environment where energy consumers will have a more equal relationship with utilities. That is why we often talk about the concept of"Green Utility" where energy market operators promote and offer solutions that can facilitate the prosumer approach, including energy savings and e-mobility. However, this is not going to happen tomorrow. Before that, it is imperative to employ energy storage in various tasks in distributions networks, so that the shift to the prosumer world is smooth.
The EU has introduced the necessary framework for this "energy revolution", so it's time for national authorities and private sector operators to roll up their sleeves and implement it. Having said that, there are challenges ahead to develop compensation models under which various services from privately owned energy storages can be offered profitably. In this respect, we believe that EASE can play an important role as a counterparty for dialogue, even at the national level, about how various energy storage procurement schemes are introduced.
Welcome on board EDP Renewables
The European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) is glad to extend a warm welcome to its newest member EDP Renewables who joined EASE in March 2019.
Mr Gabriel Nebreda Molinero, Executive Operating Director, accepted to discuss with us EDP Renewables' expertise in energy storage and expectations from this collaboration with EASE.
EASE: Mr Nebreda Molinero thank you very much for accepting this interview. We are very really happy to have EDP Renewables among our members and we would like to know more about your activities in the sector. Could you summarise the most interesting insights from EDP Renewables' work for energy storage in Europe?
Mr Nebreda Molinero: Our company started out in the energy storage sector three years ago when we decided to develop the first battery energy storage system existing today in Romania. This latter, coupled with one of our wind farms, came into reality in August 2018. Even though it was conceived as a technology-testing project, it also represented an opportunity to learn about the commercial aspects of storage. This project faced numerous regulatory challenges, as neither the permitting nor the technical framework were yet in place for battery storage, which demanded long and productive discussions with the Romanian TSO. Another BESS in Romania, this time coupled with one of our Solar Farms, will also be on air very soon. As a summary, it is the aim of EDP Group to start fostering energy storage as a viable alternative collocated with our new or existing assets.
EASE: We look forward to a very fruitful collaboration with you and to receive EDP Renewables' inputs for our Working Groups and Task Forces. What created the interest to your company to join EASE?
Mr Nebreda Molinero: It goes without saying that EASE is known for being a reference association in Europe when it comes to energy storage. EDP Renewables believed it was the right time to join it so as to participate in the important milestones and decisions about storage in Europe and take advantage of being surrounded by most of the experienced fellows of the sector.
Mr Nebreda Molinero: It's about time storage is understood, the sooner the better, and quicker than the RES were, as being key for achieving the complex binding targets set by the EU directives. Among all available alternatives, this technology is almost plug&play, more flexible and the easiest one for the transition that our world urgently needs.
An Insider's Look at Naturgy's InnovaHub
The 2019 Spring EASE Committee Meetings, hosted by EASE member Naturgy, have just come to an end. On 19 and 20 March 2019 EASE Members' representatives met at Naturgy's InnovaHub in Madrid to discuss the biggest technical and regulatory challenges shaping the energy storage sector in Europe.
The InnovaHub is a space dedicated to creation and innovation, in which it is possible to work and connect with the main players of the digital and technology ecosystem. It provides an open space for meeting, in which entrepreneurs and innovators can work, network and organise events of interest to the energy innovation community.
Thanks to the activities proposed by InnovaHub, stakeholders of the energy sector have the opportunity to pitch in together and gain experience, enlarge their network and exchange knowledge in order to be full protagonists of the development of the energy sector.
This engaging context fostered the discussion in the three EASE Committees. The Technology and Value Assessment Committee deepened the discussion on energy storage technologies, costs, and applications; the Communications Committee finalised certain deliverables and communications campaigns that will be soon be available on Social Media and on the EASE website and, finally, the Strategy Committee focused on how to tackle the current regulatory challenges and barriers to the deployment of energy storage.
The 2019 Spring Committee meetings were productive and engaging for EASE and its members. We would like to thank all participants for providing interesting input to our work, and in particular Naturgy for granting us access to the InnovaHub, a very interesting and stimulating environment for our discussions.
We look forward to replicate this experience in similar facilities that foster innovation and networking among EASE members.
EASE Committees
Access now the proceedings of the 2019 Spring EASE Committee Meetings
EMMES 3.0 – European Electrical Storage Market Grows 75% in 2018 to 1470 MWh
N° 02-2019
On 11 March 2019 the European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) and Delta-ee (Delta Energy and Environment), the specialist "new energy" research and consulting company, have published EMMES 3.0 – the definitive guide for the European Energy Storage market.
Read now the full press release: EMMES 3.0 – European Electrical Storage Market Grows 75% in 2018 to 1470 MWh
Horizon Europe – What's New
Financing from the European Union is still needed to foster the development of energy storage in Europe, and EASE is actively involved in the shaping of funding programmes through its project management team. In 2018, EASE engaged with a wide range of stakeholders and got involved in different platforms to bring energy storage as a key topic in the next framework programme of the Commission: Horizon Europe.
Horizon Europe is the European Commission's proposal for a €100 billion research and innovation funding program of seven years (2021-2027). This new programme will be launched in 2021 with the aim of boosting research and innovation and will replace Horizon 2020, which was the biggest research and innovation programme of the European Union with nearly €80 billion in funding, available from 2014 to 2020.
Horizon Europe programme has three objectives: Supporting the creation and diffusion of high-quality knowledge; Strengthening the impact of R&I in supporting European policies; Fostering all forms of innovation and strengthening market deployment.
Fostering Innovation and Market Deployment
Horizon Europe will consist of three pillars: Open Science, Global challenges and industrial competitiveness, Open Innovation.
The second pillar contains five clusters and particularly relevant for EASE is the "Climate, energy and mobility" cluster, since "Energy Storage" is one of its 9 topics. Within the same cluster, topics such as "Energy systems and grids", "Communities and cities", "Smart mobility" and "Clean transport and mobility" also prove to be interesting as they envisage a role for energy storage.
EASE welcomed the European Commission's proposal to invest €15 billion in the "Climate, energy and mobility" cluster.
The envisaged starting date for Horizon Europe is 1 January 2021.
EASE hopes to achieve great results within the programme: Horizon Europe is an instrument that the European Commission provides to organisations and individuals to tackle major energy challenges while supporting their work through the financing of infrastructure projects and internal R&D. The access to a wide European network gained thanks to the participation in the consortium fosters business opportunities, creates synergies with other industries and enables public and private partnerships. Moreover, it represents an opportunity to influence policy-making through the development and sharing of research and knowledge.
Overall, the participation in EU-funded projects is a great added value for businesses of any size and EASE is proud to support its members and facilitate their access to these funds.
Discover more about EASE activities in R&D and the EU-funded projects we are currently invoved in.
What to Expect in 2019?
2019 will undoubtedly be another ground-breaking year for the energy storage sector, and EASE will be at the forefront of discussions with policymakers and other stakeholders to shape the future energy storage industry. In 2019 and beyond, EASE will focus on a number of key areas to further the development and deployment of energy storage technologies across Europe.
Working with the European Institutions
The European institutions will formally adopt the recast Electricity Directive and Regulation, part of the Clean Energy for All Europeans package. After this important step, the focus will turn to the implementation of these provisions in the European Union Member States, and EASE will issue its ideas and recommendations to support further policy measures to enhance the regulatory framework for energy storage. The European Commission will also issue its Gas Package proposals, aimed at updating the rules for the internal gas market, and many of these proposals will be of interest to the power-to-X storage sector.
Regarding the electricity network codes, discussions will continue on whether to amend them in order to include grid connection requirements for energy storage devices.
EASE will continue to monitor the implementation of the European network codes to ensure that the provisions do not create undue barriers to the deployment of storage and its participation in electricity markets.
After the European elections, EASE will engage with the new Members of the European Parliament and College of Commissioners to share with them the role and value of energy storage, and to ensure their continued support for the storage sector.
Energy Storage is not a technology of the future – it is here today, providing a variety of applications to ensure a cleaner, more efficient, and more secure energy system. EASE is working hard to make sure that storage can live up to its full potential in supporting the energy transition.
Ms Eva Chamizo Llatas
EASE President
Fostering Research and Development
EASE will support the discussions on the new Horizon Europe funding programme and continue its work on EU-funded projects, to support energy storage research, development, and deployment. With the support of its members, EASE will kick-start new EU-funded projects: Batteries Europe, ASSET and Battery 2030+. As in previous years, EASE will issue policy papers and recommendations in order to share its expertise on storage technologies and applications with policymakers.
Working with our Members
EASE Task Forces on Mobility, Multi-Service Business cases, Hybrid Energy Storage Systems, and Energy Storage Applications will finalise and publish studies and recommendations on these topics. The aim is not only to share our members' views, but also to kick-start discussions with policy-makers and other stakeholders. Also, two events will be organised by EASE in 2019 to reflect on the implementation of the Clean Energy for All Europeans package and on other aspects that are key to furthering the energy storage business case.
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EASE Activities in R&D in 2018
Through its involvement in different EU-funded projects, EASE continues to support innovative projects that further research, development, and deployment of different energy storage technologies. Below are the projects in which EASE was involved in 2018.
INTENSYS4EU project aims to support the integration of innovative solutions in view of hosting 45% of variable renewables by 2030.
ETIP SNET, the European Technology and Innovation Platform – Smart Networks for Energy Transition, was set up by EASE and the INTENSYS4EU consortium. It brings together experts and stakeholders from across the smart grids and storage sector to discuss policy, innovation and research. In 2018 EASE participated in the elaboration of the recommendations on "Storage Technologies and Sector Interfaces" at the ETIP SNET regional workshops in Zagreb, Helsinki, Brussels, and Madrid.
Muse Grids aims to develop new models and tools to coordinate interactions between different energy systems and networks, promoting the optimised management of local energy communities, demand-side management, and increasing the share of renewable energies in the global energy mix.
EASE will support the deployment of multi-energy storage systems in energy islands and lead the dissemination, communication and policy promotion activities and provide cost-benefit analysis studies supported by CIRCE.
Hydropower Europe started in November 2018. It aims to bring together stakeholders from across the hydropower sector in order to develop a Research and Innovation Agenda, as well as a Technology Roadmap to monitor the implementation of that agenda. The TR will put forward the current status and European potential for pumped energy storage. EASE will lead Work Package 2 on Hydropower-Europe Community Support. Three EASE members (Iberdrola, CENER, GE) will be involved directly as linked third parties. Enel and CIRCE will support the project.
The TSO2020 "Electric Transmission and Storage Options along TEN-E and TEN-T Corridors for 2020" project launched in 2017 and aims to exploit synergies between power storage solutions and alternative transport infrastructure needs. EASE is leading a cost-benefit analysis study conducted by three of its members – DNV GL, Tractebel, and CIRCE. As co-leader of the dissemination and stakeholder engagement activities, EASE organised a Power-Hydrogen workshop in October 2018 to communicate and exchange the preliminary conclusions of the project activities to stakeholders.
SMARTSPEND began in December 2018. The project's aim is to promote collaboration and development of cross thematic synergies among actors of new clean energy innovations. The mission of the programme is to provide more and better design of public support for energy technology R&I, with a focus on national support. The project has two pillars: a synergy one, where partners discuss their common interests around technology development and a financial strategies pillar, where stakeholders will be invited to discuss their common needs for financing. EASE will lead the "Access to Risk Finance" work programme and contribute to all other activities. At the end of the project, adequate financial strategies to mobilise investments and complementary funding from private and public actors will be defined.
Long-Term Strategy for 2050 – A Clean Planet for All
In November 2018, the European Commission presented its strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate-neutral economy by 2050, which seeks to establish a vision on how the European Union can deliver on the Paris Agreement.
The strategy assesses different pathways for the European Union to achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions between -80% by 2050 (compared to 1990) up to net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050. All scenarios developed by the European Commission converge on one element: storage capacity will significantly increase to enable integration of higher shares of variable renewable energy sources in a faster, more efficient way.
Total stationary storage explicitly used in the power system (i.e. pumped hydro storage, stationary batteries and chemical storage, including the indirect storage effects of producing e-fuels for the final consumers) is expected to reach between 250 TWh and 450 TWh by 2050.
This is a significant increase from today's storage capacity, especially as these estimates do not take into account behind-the-meter storage, thermal storage, or storage through smart charging and vehicle-to-grid applications of electric vehicles. Through effective and innovative RD&D, such capacity will increase even further in this 30-year span.
In 2019, EASE will build upon the main conclusions of the 2050 Long-Term Strategy and further explore the contribution of storage to this strategy. EASE will be ready to follow up on the technology developments and advocate for adequate policy in order to make sure that energy storage delivers its full potential in the Strategy.
Battery 2030+: Power up Europe's Battery Revolution
A world moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy will rely more and more on energy storage. The Battery 2030+ large-scale research initiative will gather leading scientists in Europe, as well as the industry, to achieve a leap forward in battery science and technology. The first Battery 2030+ project kicks off in March 2019 and will lay the basis for this large-scale research initiative on future battery technologies.
The vision for Battery 2030+ is to invent the batteries of the future, providing European industry with cutting-edge technologies. Batteries are among the key technologies to achieve a deep decarbonisation of the European energy system, notably in the transport sector (with electro-mobility) and in the electric power sector (with the storage of intermittent renewable energy sources).
In the near future, we will need new generations of ultrahigh-performance, reliable, safe, sustainable and affordable batteries. The competition to develop future battery technologies is already intense, but still very much open.
The Battery 2030+ project, which currently includes 17 partners in nine European countries, has been selected for a Coordination and Support Action grant under the Horizon 2020 programme. Over a period of one year (starting in March 2019), Battery 2030+ will lay the basis for a 10-year large-scale and long-term European research project.
The Battery 2030+ consortium includes five universities (Uppsala University, Politecnico di Torino, Technical University of Denmark, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, University of Münster), eight research centres (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, French National Centre for Scientific Research, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Fundacion Cidetec, National Institute of Chemistry, Slovenia, SINTEF AS), three industry-led associations (EMIRI, EASE, RECHARGE) and one company (Absiskey).
EASE will lead the Work Package 3, focused on stakeholder commitments, communication & dissemination. EASE will map and gather industry and research stakeholders, facilitating the interactions between these actors. EASE will manage the written consultations, aimed at obtaining, from the several stakeholders, inputs related to the activities. EASE and its members will also provide their expertise to develop a long-term roadmap for an innovative, competitive and sustainable whole battery value chain.
The Battery 2030+ consortium has also received the support of a number of European and national organisations, including ALISTORE ERI, EERA, EIT InnoEnergy, EIT RawMaterials, EARPA, EUROBAT, EGVI, CLEPA, EUCAR, KLIB, RS2E, Swedish Electromobility Centre, PolStorEn, ENEA, CIC energigune, IMEC and Tyndall National Institute.
More about Battery 2030+: http://battery2030.eu/
Clean Energy for All Europeans Package
EASE Secretariat has been working on the Clean Energy for All Europeans package since it was proposed by the European Commission in 2016. The final agreement was reached in December 2018 by the two co-legislators, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, and represents a great success for EASE.
The package aims at empowering consumers to become active consumers in the energy system, and through national energy and climate plans, Member States should commit to binding renewable energy targets, in view of the future decarbonisation goals. Moreover, a specific part of the package includes the establishment of a modern market design for electricity in Europe, in which energy storage can play a very important role.
Electricity Market Design
Together with the members, the EASE Secretariat analysed the approaches of Council of the European Union and of the European Parliament for the Electricity Market Design files. We then identified some main points that required further lobbying efforts during the trilogue discussions, which see the European institutions come together to discuss the files and reach a common agreement:
The energy storage definition (article 2§47 of the Electricity Directive): we worked on making sure that the energy storage definition is technology neutral, encompassing all storage technologies and applications.
The ownership of storage by regulated entities (articles 36 and 54 of the Electricity Directive): we sought to ensure that multi-service business cases will be allowed when a regulated entity will have been given the right to invest in a storage facility. Multi-service business cases see a regulated entity and a market player share the ownership and/or operation of a single storage facility to maximise the value of this asset.
Long-term contracts for storage in the balancing market (article 5§9 of the Electricity Regulation): EASE advocated for the possibility to have three-year contracts in the balancing market to allow for longer-term visibility of storage revenues.
We were proud to see that most of our lobbying efforts paid off: the definition which was finally agreed upon covers not only electricity in/electricity out technologies but also electricity in/energy out technologies. Contracts up to one year will also be allowed in the balancing market in various cases.
The value of storage is clearly recognised in several provisions:
Storage is highlighted as a key element of the energy system;
Storage is identified as a resource that should be subject to non-discrimination in network charging policy;
The principle of market-based procurement for non-frequency ancillary services, including the participation of energy storage, is recognised.
EASE thanks the European institutions for their hard work and commitment on these two files and will now follow closely their transposition and implementation at Member State level.
Renewable Energy Directive
The European institutions also reached an agreement on the proposal for a recast Renewable Energy Directive.
EASE was very pleased to see that the European Union set an ambitious binding renewable energy target of 32% for the European Union for 2030, which is likely to trigger a 55% share of renewable energy sources in the electricity sector. Setting high renewable energy targets is of outmost importance: a higher level of ambition will not only help accelerate the energy transition, but also lead to a greater deployment of storage technologies across Europe. With this Directive, the European institutions also enshrined the right of active consumers to generate, storage, and consume their own electricity. This can support the installation of solar+storage systems at customer level:
Charges and fees on self-consumed energy until 2026 are banned;
Consumers can be remunerated for the self-generated renewable electricity fed into the grid at market value.
Finally, the European Union raised itsambition for the use of renewables in the transport sector, as well as the heating and cooling sectors. This is a promising development for storage technologies which are key to decarbonise and support the integration of higher levels of renewables in these sectors. EASE members follow these developments very closely, notably within the EASE Energy Storage and Mobility Working Group.
An Update on EASE Policy Work: Challenges Faced and Overcome in 2018
2018 was a turning point for energy storage policy at the European level, with major pieces of legislation being approved by the European institutions. EASE policy team has worked hard to ensure that the European regulatory framework evolves in a way that allows storage to have a strong business case and achieve its full potential to support the energy transition.
2018 started with the publication by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament of their respective approaches on the proposals for a recast Electricity Directive and recast Electricity Regulation (Electricity Market Design files).
Throughout the year, EASE continued to work on a wide range of issues including the electricity network codes, the assessment of energy storage projects in the Ten-Year Network Development Plan and Projects of Common Interest, Horizon Europe, the ETS Innovation Fund, clean mobility, and energy storage on islands.
EASE also attended high-level events and initiatives that aim at shaping the future of the energy system, such as the Florence Forum on the internal electricity market, the Madrid Forum on the internal gas market, the Clean Energy for EU Islands Forum, and the High-Level Conference "Charge for Change" focusing on hydrogen.
EASE concentrated most of its efforts on the final discussions on the Clean Energy for All Europeans package: EASE engaged with the European institutions during the trilogue discussions on the Electricity Market Design files until a final agreement was reached on 19 December 2018. EASE is proud to have had a role in ensuring that the present and future European regulatory framework recognises the role of energy storage technologies and supports their deployment on a level playing field with other technologies. In short, 2018 has been busy in the policy field!
Zoom on the policy developments of 2018:
CLEAN ENERGY PACKAGE
LONG-TERM STRATEGY FOR 2050
EUROPEAN BATTERY ALLIANCE
HYDROPOWER EUROPE: The Voice of Europe's Hydropower Community
HYDROPOWER EUROPE, a multipartner initiative supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Programme, is a three-year long EU funded project that aims to gather input from the European hydropower community in order to agree upon common Research and Innovation priorities for the sector in Europe.
The main objectives of the project are:
To provide a forum for the entire European hydropower community: industry, research, policy makers, end users and academia, active throughout its value-chain;
To define a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda and a Technology Roadmap that aim to help guide funding authorities and particularly the European Commission to prioritise support where it is most needed so as to adapt the sector to the constantly evolving energy system.
Consultation through a series of online and face to face meetings, including regional workshops, will be undertaken to develop the research and innovation agenda and technology roadmap.
EASE is taking part in Hydropower-Europe project as full partner by contributing to all other activities. Moreover, the association is leading the work package 2 Hydropower Europe Community Support with the aim to implement wider stakeholder consultation process.
Three EASE members, Iberdrola, GE and CENER are involved in the project as linked third parties and two other members, CIRCE and ENEL is contributing as supporting organisations.
The action gathers a wide range of european and international partners, which will allow for the full involvement of the hydropower community in Europe and beyond. The coordinator is ICOLD, the International Commission on Large Dams with his regional club Europe. Other partners include:
EREF, the European Renewable Energy Federation
EUREC, the Association of European Renewable Energy Research Centres
IHA, the International Hydropower Association
SAMUI, which brings expertise in water / environmental research, and communication and dissemination
VGB PowerTech, the international technical association for generation and storage of power and heat
ZABALA, expert in energy-related platforms as well as project dissemination and communication.
SMARTSPEND: Increase the Efficiency of European Funding for Clean Energy
On the 17 January 2019, SMARTSPEND project partners met in Brussels to kick off SMARTSPEND. Running until December 2021, the 3-year-project will explore how investments in R&D in clean energy can be made in a coordinated way and how they may be increased.
Many energy technologies are trying to answer similar R&D questions. There may be ways to sequence research in different sectors to enable its impact to be increased. SMARTSPEND will report on the synergies in different technologies' R&D plans, and on the ways that sectors should organise themselves to access EU funding efficiently.
SMARTSPEND will organise a major conference to help innovators in clean energy access risk finance from public and private sources. They need money and connections to scale up. To prepare the conference, SMARTSPEND will report the funding needs and identify possible sources.
The funding that national governments provide directly and the funding they provide indirectly through their contributions to the EU's R&D budget, has been very useful for the development of clean energy technology, says Greg Arrowsmith, policy advisor at EUREC, SMARTSPEND's scientific coordinator. This project will engage with governments on their future support.
EASE, together with project partners, expects to promote the development at the national and European level of cross thematic synergies among actors who are interested in bringing new clean energy innovations, including energy storage, to the market. At the end of the project, adequate financial strategies to mobilise investments and complementary funding from private and public actors will be defined.
EASE will lead the "Access to Risk Finance" work programme and contribute to all other activities. The mission of the programme is to provide more and better design of public support for energy technology R&I, with a focus on national support. The project has two pillars: under the synergy one, partners will bring all the non-nuclear energy sectors together for a focused discussion on their common interests around technology development and non-technological barriers to the uptake of their technologies. Under the financial strategies pillar, energy sector stakeholders will be invited to discuss their common needs for financing, and compare the way in which each federates its European energy R&I interest and presents it to the European Commission.
SMARTSPEND's partners were chosen because of their links to companies and research centres in particular clean energy fields. This will allow the results of the project to be disseminated widely, including: analysis of industry funding needs; a map of funding instruments for energy innovation; recommendations for alternative models of sectoral organisation at EU level, and recommendations on supporting innovation in energy technology.
SMARTSPEND partners and sectors:
EUREC – The Association of European Renewable Energy Research Centres: scientific coordinator
CIRCE Foundation – Centre of Research for Energy Resources and Consumption: process industry
EASE – European Association for Storage of Energy: energy storage
ECTP – European Construction Technology Platform: energy-efficient buildings and construction
EGEC – European Geothermal Energy Council: geothermal energy
EMIRI – Energy Materials Industrial Research Initiative: advanced materials for clean energy and clean mobility technologies
ESTELA – European Solar Thermal Electricity Association: Concentrated Solar Power
Ocean Energy Europe: Ocean Energy
The German Agency for Renewable Resources – FNR: bioenergy
WIP Renewable Energies: photovoltaics
ZABALA Innovation Consulting: smart energy networks
BATTERIES Europe: the New European Technology and Innovation Platform on Batteries
The European Commission has launched BATTERIES Europe, a new €1 million Technology & Innovation Platform aimed at driving forward research, innovation and knowledge transfer in battery technology across Europe.
The platform was presented by Dominique Ristori, Director General of the Commission's Energy Department, on 5 February 2019 in Brussels at the EU Industry Day.
"The EU does not just want to be a consumer of batteries, it wishes to become a market leader, a sector worth up to €250 billion by 2025. For this, the key is research and innovation, and I am convinced this new platform will make Europe become a world leader on batteries and storage. The economic interest at stake is enormous and the role and importance of these technologies will increase significantly in the future. To be at the forefront of this revolution, we need to consolidate the industrial basis for batteries in our continent, including all battery technologies."
Director General of the Commission's Energy Department
BATTERIES Europe is bringing together all relevant stakeholders in the European batteries research and innovation (R&I) ecosystem in order to develop and support a competitive battery value chain in Europe. Its aim is to be the driving force behind Europe's ambitions in the field of batteries.
By enhancing support for research and innovation on all types of battery technologies, the new platform will consolidate the industrial basis for this sector in Europe, creating new growth opportunities and new jobs.
EASE, together with the European Energy Research Alliance, will be part of the BATTERIES Europe's consortium coordinated by InnoEnergy. EASE members will support this platform with their expertise in research and innovation in the battery field.
EASE: Adding Value to the Energy System Since 2011
By Patrick Clerens, EASE Secretary General
2018 was a great year for energy storage, with enormous progress for the community and EASE, and this positive trend is surely coming to stay in the years ahead. But before looking to the future, I would like to pause and reflect on the progress made over the past years. Since its establishment in 2011, EASE has gone through several different stages, mirroring in many ways the broader developments of the storage sector.
Bringing Energy Storage into the Mainstream
In EASE's first years, our major focus was on getting together the major players in the storage sector to kick off discussions on how to bring this promising technology into the mainstream. EASE and its members worked to share the benefits and value of energy storage, and to explain the different technologies and applications to policymakers and other stakeholders.
Around 2015, as the Clean Energy for All Europeans package was being prepared, and stakeholders began to take an interest in energy storage and its role in the energy transition, EASE turned its attention to defining high-level principles for the energy market design, and clarifying the RD&D needs of storage technologies. Our efforts paid off: we finally saw policymakers taking an active interest in storage, and taking first steps to integrate storage into various European initiatives and policies, including a definition for energy storage.
Energy Storage Enabling the Clean Energy Transition
In 2018, we saw big strides being made by European policymakers. One major focus of EASE throughout the year was of course the discussion around the Clean Energy for All Europeans package, which addresses many of the biggest barriers to the energy storage market. The 2050 Long-Term Strategy, published by the European Commission in November 2018, underlined the significant amounts of storage capacity that will be needed to achieve a net-zero emissions power system by 2050. Meanwhile, the European Battery Alliance discussions put questions of battery manufacturing, deployment, and sustainability front and centre. Discussions also began on the new EU-funded research framework Horizon Europe, which promises significant amounts of funding for storage research and development.
Turning Ideas Into Actions
However, we also shifted part of our attention towards the concretisation of high-level ideas and principles, going more and more into the details of implementing the energy market design, the electricity network codes, and other European Union legislation in areas such as gas, clean mobility, clean energy on islands, battery manufacturing, and sustainability.
As the energy storage sector matures, EASE is also working to analyse the different factors that affect profitability: stacking multiple revenue streams, hybridising storage technologies, shared ownership models, and how to tender new storage services.
Actually, there are so many regulatory and policy developments, as well as events and initiatives affecting energy storage that I cannot summarise them all. Energy storage has clearly come a very long way from being the 'new kid on the block'. Still, we have a very long way to go before storage can achieve its full market potential. In terms of technical innovation, energy market design, and regulation for energy storage, there is still much progress to be made.
EASE, with the support of its members, will continue to drive progress by advocating on behalf of the European energy storage sector.
EASE is actively involved in the EU decision making process, and provides members with different networking, research and market opportunities since its foundation.
Energy Stories: an Example of How to Bring Europe's Energy Transition Developments to Citizens
The European Technology and Innovation Platform Smart Networks for Energy Transition (ETIP SNET) is launching a series of short stories on successful energy transition technologies to inform citizens and facilitate their involvement in the European energy system of the future.
Since 2014, the strategy of the European Union has been clear: we need to drive a clean, secure and efficient energy transition to tackle climate and energy challenges. This strategy has been reinforced by the strong commitment of the European Union towards the landmark Paris Agreement. It is also why in November 2016 the Commission proposed an ambitious "Clean Energy for All Europeans" package.
It is in everyone's long-term interest to have a rapid transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable and less carbon-intensive energy future. Indeed, many projects across Europe are developing the necessary technologies to make Europe's transition to greener energy as smooth and effective as possible.
In 2016, the European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) joined a unique cooperation between key energy sector players formed under the ETIP SNET umbrella to foster a European energy transition in line with the Paris Agreement targets. As stated in the ETIP SNET Vision 2050 where EASE has been a major contributor through its involvement in particular in Working group 2 on Storage Technologies and sector interfaces, meeting Europe's clean energy needs will require major investments for the large-scale deployment of energy conversion and storage devices, the upgrade and extension of the energy networks, and the use of digital solutions.
While policy makers, industry and researchers need to lead the way and lay the foundations for the transition towards a cleaner energy system, the citizen is the fundamental player that will make this transition possible. As ETIP SNET Chairman Nikos Hatziargyriou said:
"It is citizens that have the potential to play a key role in Europe's energy transition and change the course of current climate change trends. Informed of the latest technological developments, (citizens) have the power to shape their energy behaviour (or profile) so that they will not only meet their energy needs in a more efficient and cost-effective way, but also determine the greening of the energy system as a whole."
Through its involvement in the ETIP SNET, EASE participated in the development of the "ETIP SNET Energy Stories". These stories are designed to bring successful applications in energy transition technologies, often developed through public funding, closer to the citizen, highlighting whenever possible the direct benefits of the latest technologies to the energy consumer.
More about the ETIP SNET: www.etip-snet.eu
Advanced Lead Batteries for Frequency Regulation Energy Storage
As Europe transitions towards electrification and decarbonisation, the demand for renewable energy storage will continue to grow. Advanced lead batteries play an essential role as one of the diverse energy storage battery technologies needed to facilitate this green transition.
ALABC, the consortium for battery innovation, promotes research and innovation in the lead battery industry, and aims to communicate their benefits as one of the fantastic options for energy storage in Europe. As a technology which is 99% collected recycled at end-of-life in Europe, lead battery recycling is a blueprint for Europe's circular economy goals. Advanced lead batteries provide energy storage capabilities for wind and solar farms to help reduce power fluctuations and provide power when the sun is down, avoiding energy wastage. They also act as frequency regulators for power grids across Europe.
Partnering with energy storage operator Upside Group in Germany, ALABC member and lead battery manufacturer Narada is involved in a large frequency regulation project at Langenreichenbach, near Leipzig, Germany.
The battery capacity is 25 MWh and the system is specified to provide 15 MW for one hour for primary control reserve in frequency regulation. The network operator is Mitnetz who supply electricity to over two million customers. The battery is comprised of 10,584 units 1200 Ah lead-carbon valve-regulated cells housed in 18 containers and delivers power through nine inverters supplied by SMA Solar Technology, each capable of delivering 1.8 MVA.
The system is managed by two controllers also provided by SMA so that the battery discharge and recharge are precisely controlled to match the grid requirements for maximum efficiency. All the battery cells are individually monitored to ensure any deviation in performance is detected and corrected before there is a problem.
The lead-carbon technology used for this frequency regulation project was developed in partnership with ALABC. They have a projected calendar life of 15 years and an extended cycle life in shallow cycle service. These batteries have been extensively deployed globally for peak shaving, off-grid wind power installations, and in telecommunications hybrid solutions and energy storage model data centers.
The project in Leipzig is one of many renewable energy storage projects supported by lead battery technology in Europe.
For more information, please see the full case study: www.essentialenergyeveryday.eu
Welcome on board Solar Turbines
We would like to extend a warm welcome to EASE newest member Solar Turbines!
Thanks to Solar Turbines for joining EASE in 2018! Discover more about EASE membership
Welcome on board CellCube
We would like to extend a warm welcome to EASE newest member CellCube!
CellCube intends to be a fully integrated producer of vanadium, vanadium electrolytes and vanadium redox flow batteries for the Energy Storage Market.
Thanks to CellCube for joining EASE in 2018! Discover more about EASE membership
Energy Storage: A Key Enabler for the Decarbonisation of the Transport Sector
On 19 February 2019 the European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) published a position paper explaining the crucial role of stationary energy storage in enabling a rapid and effective transition to a decarbonised transport sector. It calls on policymakers and other stakeholders to address the barriers that hamper the uptake of storage and to enable relevant use cases.
Read now the full press release: Energy Storage: A Key Enabler for the Decarbonisation of the Transport Sector
Energy Storage: a critical link in the chain of the energy transition
The Energy Storage Global Conference 2018 officially closed its doors on 26 October 2018 after three intensive days of discussions on energy storage technologies, policy, and markets. The ESGC 2018 confirms the success of the previous two editions thanks to the involvement of over 300 participants from all around the world, as well as 75 speakers and 16 exhibitors.
Read now the full press release: Energy Storage: a critical link in the chain of the energy transition
Welcome on board RTE France
We would like to extend a warm welcome to EASE newest member RTE France!
RTE France is French a transmission system operator, committed to provide economical, reliable and clean access to electrical power.
Thanks to RTE France for joining EASE in 2018! Discover more about EASE membership
Interview with EASE Student Award Winner Ankit Takle
The European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) is proud to announce the winner of its third annual Student Award Ankit Takle, who had conducted an outstanding research in the field of energy storage with the thesis 'Simulation Based Analysis of Control Strategies for Heat Pump Integration in District Heating Networks'.
EASE: Congratulations on winning the 2018 EASE Student Award! We were very impressed with your thesis on 'Simulation Based Analysis of Control Strategies for Heat Pump Integration in District Heating Networks'! Could you summarise the main focus and findings of your thesis?
Ankit: Thank you! I am glad that your esteemed panel recognized my work. My work falls under the umbrella of fourth generation smart energy systems, which focuses on having an inter-dependent energy usage to maximise its efficiency and to facilitate the integration of renewable energy resources into the grid. In my case, a "power-to-heat" approach was utilised wherein electricity fluctuates due to intermittent generation sources such as solar and wind which can be accommodated by heat-supplying mediums like heat pumps, which run on electricity and are coupled with a thermal energy storage medium.
My work focused on thermo-economic possibilities of large-scale heat pump integration in a district heating network along with a centralised thermal storage making use of variables such as the changing hourly spot prices and customer side load shifting strategies. Utilising the thermal mass of buildings as a storage medium was also taken into consideration. The results show a promising 15% reduction in heating costs due to dynamic pricing and load shifting, which is enabled due to the storage medium.
EASE: What are the most interesting insights from your work for the storage sector specifically?
Ankit: This thesis introduces two different strategies to include the role of energy storage which can be coupled with a heat supply medium to optimise its operating performance with other variables. These are: the thermal energy storage, and the building thermal inertia.
The latter plays a crucial role in optimising the heating costs along with an effective demand side management strategy results in significant cost savings for the entire system when coupled with the volatility of the variable electricity market. This can be a valuable step towards utilising innovative storage technologies for fourth generation smart heating systems.
EASE: What are your expectations for thermal energy storage technologies in the future? Will they have a major role to play in the energy transition?
Ankit: In my opinion, the energy transition cannot be achieved without an effective storage mechanism. As the world strives to increase renewable energy contribution to the generation pool, an increased effort has to be made in parallel to develop flexible energy systems to accommodate an unpredictable generation output from solar and wind. When we talk about flexibility, a necessity to store energy automatically arises. Hence, the role of energy storage is inevitable.
EASE: How did you get interested in the storage sector?
Ankit: As I was pursuing my Master studies in Sustainable Energy Systems from the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, it became clear that energy storage is the backbone of a sustainable, low-carbon energy system. As I mentioned, energy storage is critical to extract maximum potential from a sustainable resource. I am grateful to my University and the Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH for providing me with an opportunity to contribute to this field.
EASE: What are your future career plans? Do you see yourself working in the storage sector?
Ankit: I see myself working towards enabling decentralised integration of renewable energy systems as well as fields related to "Power-to-heat" and Smart electricity/heating grids. The role of the storage sector in these areas is crucial and therefore, I will definitely be contributing to the storage sector.
EASE: What are your expectations of the Energy Storage Global Conference 2018? What are you most looking forward to?
Ankit: I look forward to meeting up with researchers and industry leaders in the storage sector to gain knowledge, not only on the technological basis, but also on the policy making and regulatory developments in the future of energy storage.
For more information please contact Ankit Takle at ankit.takle327@gmail.com
Welcome on board Storengy
We would like to extend a warm welcome to EASE newest member Storengy!
Storengy, an ENGIE subsidiary, designs, builds and operates storage facilities and offers its customers innovative products based on the extensive know-how it has acquired through 60 years' experience with different markets and regulatory environments.
Thanks to Storengy for joining EASE in 2018! Discover more about EASE membership
Welcome on board Fluence
We would like to extend a warm welcome to EASE newest member Fluence!
Fluence is the result of two industry powerhouses and pioneers in energy storage joining together to form a new company dedicated to innovating modern electric infrastructure. In January 2018, Siemens and AES launched Fluence, uniting the scale, experience, breadth, and financial backing of the two most experienced icons in energy storage. Thanks to Fluence for joining EASE in 2018! Discover more about EASE membership: http://bit.ly/easemember
Thanks to Fluence for joining EASE in 2018! Discover more about EASE membership
Tâmega Hydro Complex: Iberdrola's flagship project in Portugal
This project involves the construction of Gouvães, Daivões and Alto Tâmega hydropower plants, which will be erected over the Tâmega River, in the north of Portugal.
The EIB finances this development with 650 million euros, out of a total investment of more than 1.5 billion euros. The three power plants will have a total installed capacity of 1,158 MW and will be capable of producing 1,766 GWh per year. Iberdrola has started the assembly of the first turbine for the pumped hydroelectric power plant at Gouvães. This plant will include an underground cavern with four reversible pump turbines, generating a total power of 880 MW.
Cortes-Muela: the Largest Pumped-Hydro Storage Plant in Europe
The Cortes-La Muela complex located in Júcar River (Spain) has a total installed capacity of 1767 MW. It includes the largest pumped hydroelectric storage plant in Continental Europe.
La Muela I and La Muela II power plants feature 7 X 212 MW reversible turbines. Two reservoirs with up to 524 metres altitude difference allow water to be stored in the upper reservoir and used to produce electricity during peak consumption times. Pumped hydroelectric storage is the most cost-effective large scale storage method. It provides stability and flexibility to the electrical system, as it can produce large amounts of power with fast response times without any GHG emission.
Micro Grid of San Agustín de Guadalix for the Operation of Distributed Resources
Iberdrola has installed a micro grid facility in the Campus of San Agustín, composed of 3 Li-ion batteries of 170kW/250kWh, several photovoltaic plants, a Building Management System, EV charging points and wind generation.
This project is focused on the interaction between the dispatching centre and distributed energy resources. The first objective was to adapt the distribution management system. The DSO will have to be able to operate the grid, enabling all these elements connected to the grid or temporarily off-grid, and the systems must be ready for that. Coordinated operation of several storage systems to provide services to the grid has also been tested.
Energy Storage Substation for Grid Resiliency and MV Renewable Integration
Iberdrola is installing its first 1,25MW/3MWh Li-ion battery for real operation on the Spanish grid, at the end of a long feeder in the region of Murcia.
The plant is located in an area prone to adverse weather events with difficult accessibility in a confluence of several 20kV lines. In case of an outage, the battery, which will be operational by the end of 2018, will maintain the power supply to the neighbouring villages, deciding automatically the line or lines to be fed by the battery and the size of the electrical island considering the current demand and local generation.
The Revolution of Enel Green Power
Storage solutions promise to be a true revolution in the renewable energy sector, which sees Enel Green Power (EGP) as one of its global leaders.
In some of the thirty countries where it works, the Group has already successfully installed various systems able to store energy and make it available when there is greater need, in order to balance demand and supply on electrical grids. In Italy, the first EGP-brand storage system came about in 2015, in Potenza Pietragalla, Basilicata. Integrated with the wind farm of the same name, it's able to store 2MWh of energy and helps guarantee the stability of the electrical grid. Also in 2015, the first storage system (1 MW / 2 MWh) in a photovoltaic plant was built in Sicily, at the Catania 1 solar park, with an installed capacity of 8 MW. These two examples represent milestones for EGP in the field of storage solutions and a key step forward for the entire technological supply chain related to renewables.
The experience and know-how EGP has gained over the years has allowed them to create an innovative micro-grid with very high technological content at Cerro Pabellón, in the Chilean part of the Atacama Desert. The developed system integrates a 125-kWp photovoltaic plant with a Hybrid Energy Storage System (HyESS), based on lithium ion batteries (132 kWh) and hydrogen storage (1 MWh). In Germany, the first 2-MW/2-MWh section of the Cremzow plant, in the state of Brandenburg, is already in operation. The lithium ion battery-based plant, which will reach its full size of 22 MW / 34 MWh by the end of 2018, will store the energy produced by the nearby wind fields and provide regulation services for the German grid.
However, the history of storage is still to be written. In the future, it is expected that a decrease in battery costs and the arrival of new technologies on the market can increase the speed of their deployment and integration with renewable sources to guarantee greater flexibility, and a production profile focused on the specific needs of customers and the grid. The presence of storage systems, in fact, increases the value of a renewable plant, since it allows for a wide range of ancillary services, such as frequency and voltage adjustment and grid rebooting, which are necessary to guarantee the security of an electrical system.
Enel Develops a Stand-alone Battery Energy Storage System in UK
The 25MW/12.5MWh BESS Tynemouth project is supported by a four-year contract with British utility National Grid to provide grid balancing services.
The UK electricity market has experienced the gradual shutdown of conventional thermal generation units during the last years while increasing amounts of intermittent renewables have been connected, reducing the inbuilt system inertia.
The resultant rise in frequency volatility has increased the requirement for faster response times by National Grid, the UK TSO. At the time of the tender in 2016, National Grid's fastest service was the Firm Frequency Response (FFR), with response times for Primary and Secondary FFR of 10 seconds and 30 seconds respectively. The deployment of EFR, with a sub-second response time, has provided NG with greater control over frequency deviations, resulting in a cost saving for the system.
In summer 2016, National Grid's Enhanced Frequency Response (EFR) tender brought forward investment in eight battery storage facilities in the UK. The auction process secured 201 MW of capacity for a 4 year contract at prices between 7 and 11.97GBP/MWh, at a total cost of £65.95 million over four years.
In May 2017, Enel acquired the BESS Tynemouth project from Element Power, an European based energy developer and operator. The project has one of the highest contract prices by National Grid (11,49GBP/MWh). With a nominal capacity of 25MW/12.5MWh (end of life), the project represents the largest stand-alone BESS for Enel Group. The project was built during the second half of 2017 under an EPC contract with RES (Renewable Energy System), using a lithium-ion battery provided by Samsung and put in operation in June 2018.
BESS Tynemouth will operate under a four-year Enhanced Frequency Response (EFR) contract with National Grid to provide grid balancing services and, after four years, the project will participate to the ancillary services market.
The UK is one of the most advanced markets in the world for utility-scale battery storage systems and one of the first in having set a frequency regulation tender well suited for stand-alone battery storage projects. Moreover, the country offers several revenue stream opportunities, including both regulated and market remuneration schemes. This has resulted in rapid deployment of BESS across the UK over the past three years, with different storage projects winning an EFR contract and also targeting different ancillary service market schemes.
Enel's BESS Tynemouth project has marked an important milestone in the growth of Enel Group in the stand-alone battery energy storage systems sector and has allowed Enel to gain experience and strategic knowledge in building such projects which can be applied to other markets.
Underground Thermal Energy Storage Facilitates the Low-Carbon Transition of the Heating and Cooling Sector
The heating and cooling sector is vitally important for the transition to a low-carbon energy system. Heating and cooling is responsible for half of all consumed final energy in Europe.
The vast majority – 85% – of the demand is currently fulfilled by fossil fuels, most notably natural gas. To further the energy transition, low carbon heat sources (e.g. geothermal, biomass, solar and waste-heat) need to be deployed. Heat storage can play a pivotal role in this development. Storage provides the flexibility to manage the variations in supply and demand of heat at different scales, and in particular can smooth out the seasonal dips and peaks in heat demand. Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) technologies need to be further developed so that they can become an integral component in the future energy system infrastructure to meet variations in both the availability and demand of energy.
The main objectives of the HeatStore project are to lower the cost, reduce risks, improve the performance of high temperature (~25°C to ~90°C) underground thermal energy storage (HT-UTES) technologies, and to optimise heat network demand side management (DSM). This is primarily achieved by 6 new demonstration pilots and 8 case studies of existing systems with distinct configurations of heat sources, heat storage and heat utilisation.
This will advance the commercial viability of HT-UTES technologies and, through an optimised balance between supply, transport, storage and demand, enable geothermal energy production to reach its maximum deployment potential in the European energy transition.
HeatStore is one of nine projects under the GEOTHERMICA – ERA NET Cofund and has the objective of accelerating the uptake of geothermal energy by 1) advancing and integrating different types of underground thermal energy storage (UTES) in the energy system, 2) providing a means to maximise geothermal heat production and optimise the business case of geothermal heat production doublets, 3) addressing technical, economic, environmental, regulatory and policy aspects that are necessary to support efficient and cost-effective deployment of UTES technologies in Europe. The three-year project will stimulate a fast-track market uptake in Europe, promoting development from demonstration phase to commercial deployment within 2 to 5 years, and provide an outlook for utilisation potential towards 2030 and 2050.
The 24 contributing partners from 9 countries in HeatStore have complementary expertise and roles. The consortium is composed of a mix of scientific research institutes and private companies. The industrial participation is considered a very strong and relevant advantage which is instrumental for success. The combination of leading European research institutes together with small, medium and large industrial enterprises, will ensure that the tested technologies can be brought to market and valorised by the relevant stakeholders.
Terna's Pilot Storage Projects to Test and Validate the Use of Electro-Chemical Storage
The rapid increase in electricity generation plants using non-programmable renewable sources (NPRSs) in Italy in recent years has had an increasingly tangible impact on processes for management of electricity flows (dispatching) and the safe operation of the national electricity system in general.
In order to optimise generation from renewable sources and at the same time ensure increased security management margins in the electricity system, Terna has identified energy storage as one of the possible solutions to the problem. This is why Terna has planned the installation of technologies in strategic locations across Italy and connected to the National Electricity Transmission Grid (NTG). This innovative use of storage systems has led Terna to launch an experimental programme aimed at implementing pilot projects designed to test and validate the use of electro-chemical storage at the "utility-scale" level.
The first project, launched by Terna in 2011, is focused on large-scale storage plants, connected to sections of the high-voltage (HV) grid in southern Italy, which are critical due to the high levels of penetration from NPRSs. With the primary focus on reducing congestion volumes, Terna conducted a public tender process leading to the selection of the NAS battery technology (sodium/sulphur) as the most suitable for the purpose. The total storage programme of 35 MW is composed of three plants, each connected to the NTG via a 20/150 kV Electrical Substation. The project operation enables the optimisation of the primary objectives (mitigating congestion from NPRSs) and the effective experimentation with highly innovative grid delivery services (e.g. experimental calibration of the primary regulation and secondary regulation of frequency, development of new and advanced dispatching services, etc.).
More experimental in nature and structured like a true energy storage laboratory, the second project (Storage Lab) was launched in 2012, and consists of 16 MW of multi-technology storage systems, aimed at increasing the safety margins of the HV networks on Italy's two largest islands (Sicily and Sardinia). With 13.4 MW total capacity already installed (21.2 MWh storage capacity), the Storage Lab project is the only one of its kind in the world in terms of the variety of available technologies and the innovative nature of the control systems. The individual storage units are lithium (9.2 MW, 5 types), Sodium Nickel-Chloride (3.4 MW, 2 types) and vanadium redox flow (0.85 MW, 2 types) based. To complement the existing technological portfolio, Terna also plans to install super-capacitor systems in the near future. With the Storage Lab project, Terna is able to experiment with the main storage technologies currently available on the market and test their performance in terms of supporting essential conventional services such as primary frequency regulation, secondary frequency regulation and Defence System easement.
The outcome of the experiments conducted by Terna will help us to place an emphasis on technological development in the sector and accelerate the integration of such resources in the dispatching service markets as well as in the national electricity system in general.
Engie's Improved Safety of Battery Storage Systems
ENGIE for a safe energy transition for the final user: Security as a quality business vector.
Safety is the first priority of any plant. ENGIE improved the level of safety standards by developed integration guidelines. These provide technical assistance to integrators and project managers for the safe operation of batteries. Engie Laborelec proposes different services to help project managers and operators of batteries:
Workshops on safety risks per technology and adapted mitigation solutions;
Project-specific technical recommendations ranging from the choice of the cell chemistry and characteristics, the sizing, to integration of safety measures;
Support for Root Cause Analysis: evaluation of batteries failure modes.
ENGIE Peer2Peer (P2P) Energy Communities
Simplify the penetration of decentralised renewable energy sources, allowing everyone to participate to the energy transition.
The P2P Energy Communities project consists in developing a global energy community platform, enabling the creation and daily energy management of communities, compatible with grid issues. The (distributed) assets considered within the project are, amongst others, photovoltaics installations, residential batteries, and electric vehicles. The project is rolled out among 70 residential users (peers).
ENGIE provides through Laborelec:
An optimised algorithm design matching the customers' energy profiles (production, consumption, storage);
A remote control through manufacturer specific interfacing of batteries for the project;
Low-cost sub metering development, roll-out and data processing;
A definition of a fair distribution of the common generated value to stabilise the community interaction.
More on: https://innovation.engie.com/
ENGIE Drogenbos Project: a Bridge Between Business and Research
ENGIE Energy Storage Park in Drogenbos Delivers Frequency Regulation Service
The Drogenbos project consists of five batteries, having different cell technologies and coming from different suppliers, piloted separately or as a whole for a total of 6 MW/6MWh. This initiative is one of the first storage installations in Belgium dedicated to the frequency regulation service with batteries. ENGIE Laborelec actively contributed to the project by defining technical requirements and selecting the suppliers. ENGIE Laborelec is in charge of the monitoring of the batteries in the long term, which will be implemented through its battery health monitoring services. The fifth technology was chosen with a higher C-rate to enlarge the flexibility of the whole system.
Discover more on: www.engie.be
The H2020 STORY Project Researches New Energy Storage Technologies
The H2020 STORY project is researching new energy storage technologies and their benefits in the distribution networks and involves 18 Partner Institutions in 8 different European countries.
Preliminary results obtained in STORY's Spanish plant demonstrate that even with the regulatory restrictions applied, the peak power can be reduced by about 20% as well as the energy consumption from the grid during peak hours (17.00-23.00) to amount to overall savings of up to 8%. Estimates from simulations with an advanced energy management strategy allowing the battery to charge from the grid, reveal that power peak reductions of up to 50% in peak hours and overall savings up to 20% are possible.
Discover more about the STORY project on: http://horizon2020-story.eu/
Maxwell Ultracapacitors Providing Resilience to Island Microgrids
Island grids and off-grid microgrids require stable sources of power and are the most sensitive to power fluctuations from intermittent solar and wind energy generation.
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has established a flexible hybrid energy storage system using intelligent energy management for reliable and resilient supply of power and energy from renewables. Located on Borkum Island in the North Sea, the storage system consists of 1MW/10kWh of Maxwell ultracapacitors and 500kW/500kWh of Li-ion battery. The ultracapacitors smooth out power peaks and increase the battery lifetime by removing peak power demand and cycling demands from the battery.
Hybrid EGT Allows More Effective Use of Renewables
Reduces environmental impact and operating cost, increases equipment lifetime
The LM6000 Hybrid Electric Gas Turbine integrates a 10 MW/ 4.3 MWh energy storage battery system and a ground-breaking control system capable of providing quick start and fast ramping to balance variable energy supply.
Variable energy supply happens when renewable production falls following weather conditions or the time of the day. The system provides enough time coverage to allow the gas turbine to start and reach its designated power output. It does not need to burn fuel and consume water in stand-by mode, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution by 60 percent and water consumption by approximately 45 percent. In 2017, the Hybrid EGT received Edison Electric Institute and ESNA innovation awards.
The LM6000 Hybrid Electric Gas Turbine is located in US but has similar use-cases in Europe in optimising the operational profile and the related emissions of fossil fired power plants. Frequency regulation and primary control reserve are already services marketed in Europe and could benefit from the presented hybrid approach.
Emergency Black Start Capability: GE's Energy Storage Battery System
Providing grid stability & smoothing renewable output
Located in California, this 33MW / 20MWh battery system complements the integration of renewable resources and will increase grid flexibility and reliability by providing solar ramping, frequency regulation, power balancing and black start capability for an adjacent gas turbine.
The black start capability was activated on May 10, 2017, when the newly installed energy storage battery system successfully supplied the electricity needed to start a 44-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas turbine without relying on the external transmission network. To stabilize the power plant, the energy storage battery system was then converted, by design, to become an energy load consumer. Although it is implemented in the US, it has similar use-cases in Europe in optimising the operational profile and the related emissions of fossil fired power plants. Frequency regulation and primary control reserve are already services marketed in Europe and could benefit from the presented hybrid approach.
Tallaght Smart Grid – Maxwell Ultracapacitors' Frequency Response
Tallaght Smart Grid – Maxwell Ultracapacitors Providing Fast Frequency Response
Ireland intends to achieve 40 percent renewable energy by 2020. Most of this electricity comes from large-scale wind farms with only limited connection to the UK. FREQCON deployed Ireland's first combined ultracapacitor & energy storage facility for the Tallaght Smart Grid Testbed in South Dublin County. The 300 kW / 150 kWh system was developed to demonstrate that a combination of lithium-ion batteries, Maxwell Technologies ultracapacitors, and FREQCON power converters can provide fast frequency response to enable high renewables penetration.
Battery Storage for the Energy Transition in Aachen
As the share of renewable energies in the electricity mix increases, so does volatility. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to be able to store energy on a large scale.
Battery storage technologies are a sensible option. They can help to integrate renewables into the energy system by offsetting their fluctuating, difficult-to-predict generation capacity in the short term. The modular battery storage M5BAT in Aachen, Germany, is ideally suited to test the technical and economic suitability of large-scale battery storage systems. The project started in July 2013 and will run until December 2018. As part of this joint project, Uniper and its partners have installed a stationary battery system in a specially converted building.
The battery system has a storage capacity of 5 MWh and bundles various battery storage technologies. We are currently testing the application possibilities and economic viability of the different battery technologies. The knowledge gained from this project will help us design future strategies for the use of battery storage, deploying the battery technology best suited to meet the local requirements. M5BAT is located next to a transformer and RWTH Aachen University research centres. The battery storage system will be used in various markets for research purposes, for example to provide primary control power. This energy storage system project provides important insights for the entire energy industry and contributes to making battery technologies usable for the energy transition. This is underlined by the partial funding of the project by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi).
World's First Grid-scale Liquid Air Energy Storage Plant Online
LAES plant demonstrates how true long-duration energy storage will help balance the grid
On 5 June 2018, Highview Power launched the world's first grid-scale LAES plant. The 5MW plant at project partner, Viridor's, Pilsworth land site in Greater Manchester, UK, is capable of powering ~5000 homes for several hours and will demonstrate how LAES can provide a number of reserves, grid balancing and regulation services. In addition, the plant will convert waste heat to power from the onsite landfill gas engines. LAES technology can be scaled up to hundreds of megawatts which would provide enough electricity to power urban areas the size of small towns to large cities.
WindGas for the Energy Transition with Uniper's Power-to-Gas Plant
Horizon2020 project STORE&GO helps explore innovative storage technologies.
For a successful energy transition, we will need large scale energy storage in order to ensure the security of supply. Uniper therefore operates the pilot plant WindGas Falkenhagen, Germany, where we have been demonstrating how renewable electricity can be used for the production of hydrogen by electrolysis, since August 2013. This "green hydrogen" is then fed into the natural gas network effectively storing the excess power produced from renewable electricity generation. The Falkenhagen power-to-gas plant has an output of 2 MW and generates 360 cubic meters of hydrogen per hour. Falkenhagen in Brandenburg is an ideal location due to its high wind generating capacity and the well-developed power and gas infrastructure already in place.
In May 2018 the power-to-gas site was expanded by a methanation plant to offer even more possibilities of storage for renewable energies. The new methanation plant provides for the generation of "green" methane. In this second stage, hydrogen from regenerative energy sources is converted into methane (CH4), i.e. synthetic natural gas (SNG), using CO2 from a bio-ethanol plant. This constitutes an important contribution to the success of the energy transition, because green methane in contrast to green hydrogen can be used in a wider variety of ways. It can be made available to a variety of markets, such as the manufacturing sector, the electricity and heating market as well as the mobility sector. Moreover, it provides for unrestricted use of the natural gas infrastructure, including for transport and storage. This stored energy is then available as backup whenever there is an insufficient supply of solar and wind power.
The new methanation plant was built right next to the PtG pilot plant and consists of several components. A prototype honeycomb catalytic reactor for methanation is installed and is being tested during the project. The methanation plant produces up to 57 m³/h of SNG (at normal pressure and temperature), which equates to an output of 600 kWh/h. By comparison: The same amount of energy could heat a 50-m² apartment for a month. Moreover, the heat generated by the process is used by a nearby veneer plant.
WindGas Falkenhagen is part of the Horizon 2020 project STORE&GO, which aims to bring the technology to a level to be integrated in the daily operation of European energy grids. Uniper Energy Storage GmbH builds and operates the new plant together with thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG, the research centre of the DVGW (German Association for Gas and Water) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). thyssenkrupp and KIT designed the reactors for methanation and KIT is also providing scientific assistance to the project.
Interview with Rowena McCappin – Glen Dimplex Project Director
RealValue: Realising Value from Electricity Markets with Local Smart Electric Thermal Storage Technology.
Project Director Rowena McCappin shares insights from the RealValue Horizon 2020 project
Q. What did the RealValue project involve and what was Glen Dimplex's role?
A. Glen Dimplex was the coordinator of RealValue, a three-year research and innovation project which received €12.5M through Horizon 2020, involving 13 partners across five member states, representing the entire electricity value chain.
Our 'Quantum' Smart Electric Thermal Storage space and water heating appliances, known as 'SETS', were installed in 750 properties across Ireland, Germany and Latvia and connected to each country's power grid. The project has delivered a huge leap forward in learning around how small-scale energy storage systems, when aggregated together, can help bring maximum value from clean energy in a more environmentally conscious world.
Q. What were the outcomes of RealValue and the added value for energy storage?
A. RealValue has demonstrated the role that Quantum SETS can play as thermal storage devices for energy balancing, grid security and supply, decarbonisation and integration of RES, network congestion and demand-side management, whilst simultaneously offering enhanced end-user experience in terms of increased comfort and control, and greater energy-efficiency.
As well as proving the effectiveness of the technical solution, within the project building and energy system modelling was carried out to assess the relative suitability of European countries for SETS into the future. Regulatory analysis assessed the market readiness for the RealValue solution and identified the most interesting business cases. We were also highly involved in BRIDGE, the European Commission Initiative for knowledge sharing between Horizon 2020 Smart Grid and Energy Storage projects. This provided unrivalled opportunity to share experiences from RealValue, and learn from other like-minded organisations, which is a crucial aspect of any R&D process.
Q. Where next for Glen Dimplex?
A. We believe that the home of the future will be all-electric and fully connected; Glen Dimplex's future direction will be defined by this vision. Everyone will be able to become an active player in the energy world, but in a simple way. It will all add up to more energy efficiency, more control, more comfort – and the potential for new revenue streams and lower bills.
The Photon Farmer's Bromine Battery Technology
How Zinc Bromine Flow Batteries Make Grid Independent Farming Possible
Renewable, low-carbon energy systems are part of the strategy to address global climate change while meeting our energy needs but we are not there yet with these climate friendly systems. Lots of electricity is not consumed at the time it is produced. More energy storage is needed so that electricity is not wasted and can be provided continuously. Clever energy storage strategies and systems are required. One such example is the Photon Farmer. A farmer cannot depend on when the sun shines or when the wind blows to milk his cows.
Farms, the ideal locations for solar and wind energy storage
To run a farm, a lot of energy is needed. Our traditional energy system is based on large, central production facilities and many small users. The production of energy is then in line with the demand. Optimally matching supply and demand is not that self-evident with renewable energy. Here is where bromine-based flow battery technologies can help. The Photon Farmer – a dairy farm located in Vierakker in the Eastern Netherlands – is now testing this revolutionary energy storage system. The 57.5-hectare family-owned sustainable and highly automated farm houses 100 cows, and has a large shed roof with a 50kW rooftop solar system. Just as most farms, there's even paddock space for windmills if needed. The aim of this project is to make this farm become completely grid independent, and to explore the best business model for storage of locally produced renewable energy. Positive results should serve as an example for other projects inside and outside the agricultural business. With this goal in mind, the Photon Farmer has obtained financial backing from the European Union.
Bromine-based flow batteries are making it happen
The Photon Farmer is the first project in its region to test the Redflow ZBM2 intelligent battery management system, and to profit by it. The Redflow ZBM2 battery is a bromine-based flow battery. It is the ultimate renewable solution for smart grid energy management. The advantages of this energy storage system are notable. Decreasing power demand at peak hours lowers the electricity usage. By deploying power when it is needed the most, energy waste is minimised. And users are assured that operations can continue in the event of power outage. Redflow's unique battery is fire safe and non-flammable – because of both its design and the used bromine electrolyte – and can operate at high ambient temperatures. With the 100% daily depth of discharge and the delivery of 10 kWh of sustained storage (warranted for 10 years), the flow battery delivers superior energy storage performance. On top of that, there is no loss of energy storage capacity over time.
The reduction of the impact of energy consumption through improved efficiency, and successful deployment of renewable sources, present both financial growth and environmental benefits. That is why – in 2016 – the unique storage design was nominated for the Responsible Care Award by the VNCI, and why BSEF supports this innovation in energy storage.
Discover more on: www.bsef.org
Large-Scale Lithium-ion and NAS® Hybrid Battery System Demonstration Project Launched in Niedersachsen
Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO); the Ministry for Economics, Labour and Transport of Niedersachsen of the Federal Republic of Germany; EWE-Verband, an association managing the electric power supply to 17 districts and four cities in Niedersachsen; and EEW Holding have agreed to jointly implement a demonstration project of a large-scale hybrid battery system.
On 19 March 2017, Mr. Furukawa, Chairman of NEDO, Mr. Lies, Minister for Economics, Labor and Transport of Niedersachsen, Mr. Schönecke, Association Director of EWE-Verband, Mr. Bramlage, Deputy Association Director of EWE-Verband, and Mr. Röhler, Managing Director of EEW Holding signed a memorandum of understanding. At the same time, Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.; Hitachi Power Solutions Co., Ltd.; and NGK Insulators, Ltd., Japanese companies commissioned by NEDO to implement the project, and EWE AG, an energy provider in Germany, have agreed to collaborate in the project and concluded an implementation document.
The demonstration project is carried out over a three-year period from April 2017 to March 2020 and was launched in Varel, Niedersachsen, which has been actively introducing renewable energy, particularly large-scale wind power, in recent years. The project aims to build a large-scale hybrid battery system using lithium-ion batteries and NAS® batteries that can stabilise the distribution grid, and thereby controlling the electric power supply and demand balance, by charging and discharging storage batteries. Another aim is to establish an innovative business model for electricity trading using the system, in collaboration with Germany's enera project. The large-scale hybrid battery system was built using lithium-ion batteries from Hitachi Chemical, NAS® batteries from NGK Insulators, and a power grid information and battery control system from Hitachi Power Solutions.
It was designed by taking advantage of the features of lithium-ion batteries with a high power charge/discharge output and of durable, large capacity NAS batteries, combined with a power grid information and battery control system that communicates information in and outside of balancing groups in cooperation with EWE AG's electricity trading system. Through this system, the four functions of primary control reserve supply, secondary control reserve supply, balancing within a balancing group, and reactive power supply that stabilise local power voltage will be realised to replace the functions of conventional power plants. Electricity trading will be executed in line with the EWE Group's electricity trading system. The demonstration project also aims to establish business models so as to make the system attractive to power generation and electricity trading companies in and outside of Germany, thereby expanding the hybrid battery system in the future.
EDF Inaugurates One of the Most Powerful Battery System in Europe
"Change" is probably the best word that qualifies the UK energy landscape of the last decade. Through bold decisions and strong commitment on climate, the UK is changing its energy system and paving the way towards a new secure, affordable and low carbon energy future.
When National Grid, the Great Britain system operator, launched its first consultation on Enhanced Frequency Response back in 2016, EDF through its affiliates, engineering teams and R&D arm was among the first to welcome this announcement and put forward its expertise in order to design, build and now operate the largest project awarded at the end of the competitive process. Enhanced Frequency Response is a new dynamic service set by National Grid, where active power must change rapidly (sub 1 second) as a function of the system frequency.
Batteries are of course technically well placed to provide this service due to their fast response to a given power request. Moreover, the technology neutral call for tender issued by National Grid also confirmed that they are cost-competitive for such needs, as winners of the call for tenders were finally all battery storage projects. West Burton B is a CCGT gas power station situated in the county of Nottinghamshire in England, approximately 250km north of London. Commissioned in 2013, it comprises 3 units and has a total capacity of about 1.3 GW.
EDF Ingeum's engineering skills enabled this pioneering step for EDF to deploy a large battery energy storage asset within a conventional plant to create such an innovative "energy park". This project also leveraged 25 years of experience in energy storage at EDF's R&D. Such commitment has enabled the development of key skills and tools to support technology selection, confirm key performance indicators, prototype and validate integrated solution in a representative environment and optimise business models.
In a changing energy landscape, EDF is ramping up its efforts to develop electricity storage solutions and become the European leader in this field. Within the framework of its ambitious electricity storage plant, EDF's goal is to develop 10 GW of additional storage around the world by 2035 (€8 billion investment), on top of the 5 GW already operated by the Group.
Highview Power Launches LAES Plant in the UK
True long-duration energy storage addresses challenges of rising energy demand and balancing the grid
On 5 June 2018, the world's first grid-scale Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) plant was officially launched by Highview Power, the world leaders in LAES technology. The 5MW plant at the Viridor Pilsworth site in Greater Manchester, UK, was opened by Professor John Loughhead OBE FREng FTSE, Chief Scientific Adviser at the UK Government Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The plant was developed in partnership with recycling and renewable energy company, Viridor, and enabled in part by over £8m of funding from BEIS. The LAES plant, which can provide enough power for about 5,000 average-sized homes for several hours, will undergo a full testing programme during its first year of operation.
Operated remotely by demand response aggregator KiWi Power, the plant will demonstrate how LAES can provide a number of reserve, grid balancing and regulation services. Yet the opportunity is far greater; true long-duration energy storage is critical to enable the broader deployment of renewable energy; overcome the intermittency of solar and wind energy; help smooth peaks and troughs in demand; and provide the UK with a stable and secure source of home-grown energy. LAES technology can scale to hundreds of Megawatts, meeting the peak energy demand of urban areas from small towns to large cities. LAES plants could easily store enough clean electricity generated by a local windfarm to power a town of around 100,000 homes for many days, not just a few hours. And with the demonstration of LAES technology at the 5MW scale, the plant paves the way for the wider adoption of LAES technology globally.
LAES technology makes use of a freely available resource, the air, which is stored as a liquid and then converted back to a gas, involving an expansion process that releases stored energy, and this drives a turbine to generate electricity. In addition to providing energy storage, the LAES plant at Pilsworth converts waste heat to power using heat from the on-site landfill gas engines. LAES plants use no exotic metals or harmful chemicals; the plant comprises mostly of steel, and the components have a design life of between 30 to 40 years. At the end of life, a LAES plant can be decommissioned and the steel recycled. LAES plants can be located at the point of demand which makes them highly flexible and able to supply energy to help urban areas keep the lights on.
EDF Builds The Energy Transition in The French Island of Sein
Less than 2 km long and 500m large: Sein Island is a small entirely totally disconnected from the mainland. With its own electrical system, the island was totally powered by diesel generators until the beginning of 2017.
Faster than anywhere else, the islanders became aware of the consequences of climate change, especially the rising water that could flood this piece of land if nothing changes. The need for a radical energy transition is obvious. Therefore the local community was eager to take up the challenge early, more than ten years ago, with energy efficiency measures led together with EDF. Sein Island was the first French municipality to be fully equipped with LED public lighting, resulting in an 80% decrease in public lighting energy consumption.
A first PV rooftop and a self-consumption building kicked off the development of renewables on the island in 2016. Since then, very ambitious objectives have been set: renewables shall cover 50% of the electrical needs by 2023, and reach 100% in 2030, making this territory a pioneer and a reference for the rest of the French electrical system. Currently, around 130kW of photovoltaic rooftops are connected to the grid, and a 250kW wind turbine is expected in the next two years. However, the equation is not so simple. The population on the island fluctuates as much as the tides: 120 inhabitants in winter, up to 1500 during the summer period. The electrical system will have to cope with a combination of renewable energy intermittency and rapid load fluctuation. With its expertise on micro-grids, EDF SEI helps Sein island to take up this challenge.
An innovative architecture, developed in collaboration with EDF R&D, enables the insertion of renewables in the grid with the help of a storage system to adapt, offer, demand and ensure the security of power supply. The solution is based on a centralised storage system installed together with an intelligent control system, developed by EDF's affiliate EDF Store & Forecast. A first 200kW/180kWh li-ion battery was installed in May 2017, enough to enable the target of 50% renewables when the wind turbine will be connected.
The energy optimisation software (Energy Management System) monitors and controls in real time the generation and storage units, and can control other flexibility resources as well, such as demand management. The solutions of this unique project in France could afterwards apply to other micro-grids or non-interconnected areas.
Ensuring Grid Stability with Europe's Largest Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant
Solar and wind power make a significant contribution to Portugal's electricity generation capacity and, because these technologies are weather dependent, the grid is vulnerable to fluctuations in supply.
This makes it the perfect place to build a pumped storage plant powered by a state-of-the art technology that helps ensure grid stability. Technology Group Voith supplied the plant with two variable speed pump turbines each with a rated output of 390 MW each, two asynchronous motor-generators with a rated output of 440 MVA each, the frequency converter and control systems as well as the hydraulic steel components. The generator sets are the largest and most powerful of their kind in Europe. The plant operator is the Portuguese utility company Energias de Portugal (EDP).
Variable speed, constant reliability
Thomas König, responsible for Electrical Balance of Plant at Voith Hydro, explains how the technology works: "A conventional synchronous machine turns at a fixed speed in time with the 50 Hz grid frequency. In contrast, the mechanical rotation speed of the doubly fed induction machine (DFIM) machines can vary, which has two main advantages. Firstly, the new systems allow a fast and flexible response to active and reactive demand from the power grid – supply can be varied to meet demand. Secondly, they offer additional stability in cases of a voltage drop, reducing the likelihood of a blackout and enabling the system to resume operation much faster if one occurs. That's because when the voltage drops by significantly more than 5% below normal, the turbines and DFIM motor-generators at Frades II can retain stability for up to 600 milliseconds – four times longer than a fixed-speed power unit. This can mean the difference between normal operation and a widespread power outage."
Ultimately, DFIM technology delivers optimal operation in both turbine and pump modes, while fulfilling TSO (role assumed in Portugal by REN) requirements for grid fault behaviour by injecting fast active and reactive power when it is needed in both modes. Another key aspect of this technology (and perhaps the most relevant in terms of value creation) is the ability to provide power variation in pump mode, which can deliver the grid's needed teleregulation during off-peak hours, making Frades II the only plant in Iberia to do so without having to generate surplus power.
Since the Frades II plant entered commercial operation, it bears Europe's largest variable-speed units. And because grid stability and ensuring energy supply reliability are becoming more important everywhere, Frades II has provided a template that will be replicated around the world.
EDF Stores Renewables with Batteries and Hydrogen to Make an Isolated Village Energy Autonomous
The Cirque of Mafate (700 inhabitants) is located in the center of Reunion island, France (Indian Ocean). Due to its morphological features, this magnificent classified UNESCO World Heritage site cannot be connected to the electric grid and was energised with diesel gensets.
EDF (Electricité de France), with the cooperation of POWIDIAN (a French SME), designed an installation that provides electricity produced by 100% renewable sources. This is achieved by using hydrogen-batteries technology, previously tested in mountain refuges, which provides very long term storage capacity. Called SAGES (Smart Autonomous Green Energy System), this installation is made of photovoltaic panels, lithium-ion batteries assuring a short term energy storage (1 or 2 days), and a whole hydrogen system (with a water electrolyser, a hydrogen storage system and a fuel cell) for long term energy storage (almost 5 days). In order to satisfy the user power demand, first, the power produced by the photovoltaic panels is used. When this power is not sufficient, the complementary part is supplied by the batteries. When their state of charge decreases below 30%, the remaining needed power is produced by the fuel cell, using the stored hydrogen.
On the contrary, if the photovoltaic panels produce an excess of power, this excess is used to charge the batteries or to produce hydrogen by the electrolysers. The storage system is currently servicing a school, a medical office and an office of the "Office National des Forêts". Commissioned in 2017, it successfully guarantees continuous and carbon-free electricity supply since then. The advantages of this technology are many: it allows 100% renewable energy generation, with no pollutants and zero carbon emission, in a landscape where diesel gensets were previously polluting the site. It guarantees security of supply for the inhabitants and especially for public services such as the school and medical office. The economics of this system are also positive, because of the very high supply costs of the fossil fuel previously used in the gensets (due to the specific geographical location of Mafate). Energy storage is one of the key elements of microgrid systems.
This is why EDF has developed specific expertise in microgrid systems and several EDF business units are already developing microgrid projects and solutions in various geographies. For instance, in the US, EDF Renewables work to tailor the wide range of microgrid solutions. In a changing energy landscape, EDF is ramping up its efforts to develop electricity storage solutions and become the European leader in this field. Within the framework of its ambitious electricity storage plant, EDF's goal is to develop 10 GW of additional storage around the world by 2035 (€8 billion investment), on top of the 5 GW already operated by the Group.
Saft Li-ion Energy Storage Optimizes Wind Power for the Faroe Islands
SEV, the Faroe Islands utility, has commissioned Europe's first fully commercial Li-ion energy storage system (ESS) operating in combination with a wind farm.
Saft's containerised solution is helping to maintain grid stability so that the islanders can capture the full potential of their new 12 MW Húsahagi wind farm. SEV has a green vision for 100 percent renewable electricity production by 2030 by making full use of the Faroe Islands' abundant wind and hydro energy resources, together with emerging technologies like photovoltaics and tidal energy. By 2030, SEV will double its current 314 GWh annual demand for electricity.
Overcoming the variability of wind power
The latest step in SEV's renewable energy programme is a new 12 MW wind farm located in Húsahagi, on the island Streymoy. Since coming on line in 2014, the wind farm has increased the islands' wind share to 26 percent of total electricity production.
To overcome short-term variations linked to the variable nature of wind, lasting from seconds to minutes, a 2.3 MW Li-ion ESS has been deployed. It provides ramp control to smooth out sharp increases and decreases in power, as well as frequency response and voltage control services. The use of energy storage thereby helps to minimise curtailment of wind generators during periods of high wind and low consumption.
Saft Intensium® Max solution
The 2.3 MW ESS at the Húsahagi wind farm comprises two Saft Intensium® Max High Power containerised Li-ion batteries. They were delivered in standardised 20-foot containers for ease of transportation and installation. Along with the battery modules, they integrate the communications interface, battery management and cooling and fire prevention equipment. The batteries are combined with ENERCON's power conversion and control equipment. The ESS is designed to limit short term power variations of the wind farm in order to maintain grid stability. Due to the high power capability of the ESS, only 700 kWh of storage capacity are needed for this operation which requires the equivalent of several full discharge cycles per day over an estimated lifetime exceeding 10 years.
Successfully enhancing grid stability for SEV
The Húsahagi ESS was commissioned in December 2015.
Since then, it has reduced the variability of power flows at the grid connection point (up to 5MW/min) by a factor of 15 to 20. As a result, the standard deviation of the grid frequency is reduced by about 50%. Furthermore, curtailment is reduced as SEV can operate the plant in period of strong wind variations, which increases the energy production by 5GWh per year and saves 1000t of fuel.
With SEV's operational expertise in renewable energy allied to Saft's leading-edge energy storage technology it is already making a significant contribution to enhancing grid stability.
Saft ESS solution- key benefits
Enhanced grid stability
Increased wind energy harvesting, reduced fuel consumption and CO2 footprint
Providing ancillary services such as frequency control
Reduced Capex and short payback period of the ESS, which enables multiple high power discharges per day over its long life time
European Electrical Storage Market Grows by 49% in 2017 to 589 MWh
On 2 July 2018 the European Energy Storage Association (EASE) and Delta-ee (Delta Energy and Environment) have published EMMES 2.0 – the definitive guide for the European Energy Storage market published every 6 months.
Read now the EMMES 2nd Edition Press Release
EASE Study on Storage Demand
On 5 June 2018, the European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) published a study estimating the energy storage capacity that would be needed in order for Europe to achieve its decarbonisation targets.
Read now the full press release!
The European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) is proud to announce the launch of its third annual Student Award, recognising outstanding graduate student research in the field of energy storage.
The winning student will be a guest at the EASE-organised Energy Storage Global Conference, which will take place in Brussels on 24-26 October 2018. He or she will be recognised during the opening day of the conference and will be invited to attend all conference events free of charge.
The selection of the winning student will be done by the EASE Secretariat and a selected committee of members. The selection procedure is based on the abstracts provided by students in the application form. Students will be judged on the quality of the responses, the research design, and on the relevance of the research topic to the Energy Storage industry. The winner will be informed by mid-September 2018.
Applicants must either currently be enrolled as a student or have completed an MSc or PhD programme at an accredited EU university between July 2017 and June 2018. The thesis which is the basis for the application must focus on an energy storage-related topic. Eligible papers are BSc or MSc theses submitted during the above mentioned period. EASE will be able to evaluate abstracts written in English, but the thesis papers could also be in German or French. For papers written in other languages, applicants are asked to contact the EASE Secretariat prior to submitting their application to verify whether the Secretariat has the requisite language skills.
Applicants must be available to attend Energy Storage Global Conference on 24-26 October 2018. Applicants from outside the EU should already be in possession of a valid visa allowing them to travel to Belgium in October 2018. EASE will only cover basic travel and accommodation costs for the event from locations within the EU or candidate countries. By submitting their application, candidates agree to allow their personal data, including the completed thesis, to be shared with EASE members.
Please complete the application form in full (personal information, abstract), attach your (draft) thesis, and return both documents to info@ease-storage.eu no later than Tuesday, 24.07.2018. Candidates who do not comply with the eligibility criteria will be disqualified.
Welcome on board BSEF
We would like to extend a warm welcome to EASE newest member BSEF- The International Bromine Council!
The International Bromine Council is the voice of the bromine industry. BSEF fosters technologies & innovation for the changing needs of society globally.
Thanks to the International Bromine Council for joining EASE in 2018! Discover more about EASE membership
Welcome on board NGK Europe
Welcome on board NGK Europe!
Thanks for joining EASE in 2018 we look forward for a great collaboration! Discover more about EASE membership
First edition of the European Market Monitor on Energy Storage released
On 12 December 2017, the European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) and Delta-ee released the first edition of the European Market Monitor on Energy Storage (EMMES).
Published twice per year, the report offers a comprehensive geographical coverage of energy storage installations in Europe, broken down into 8 regions: Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Iberia, Nordics, Central/Eastern Europe and rest of Europe. Each edition includes an overview of EU policy and future changes, a forecast of the European storage market in 2018 and an overview of the thermal storage market.
Read now the full press release: Press Release EMMES
Ms Eva Chamizo Llatas takes over EASE presidency on 1 January 2018
On 22 November 2017, the European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) General Assembly, representing 38 companies across the energy storage value chain, elected Ms Eva Chamizo Llatas, Director of European Affairs and Head of the Iberdrola Brussels Office, to serve as the new EASE President. Ms Chamizo Llatas is an expert in European Union Law and served as Head of the Legal Service of the Spanish Permanent Representation to the European Union from 2001 until 2015.
Read now the full press release: Ms Eva Chamizo Llatas takes over EASE presidency on 1 January 2018
Financing energy storage will be key to the efficiency of the energy transition
On 8 November 2017 the European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) organised in Brussels its first Energy Storage Investor Workshop. More than 50 delegates from all across Europe and worldwide attended the workshop, where 13 speakers from financial institutions, industry and representatives of the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and the European Parliament presented.
Read now the full press release on the EASE Investor Workshop
EASE-EERA Energy Storage Technology Development Roadmap presented to European Commission
On 18 October 2017, the European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) and the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) presented the updated EASE-EERA Energy Storage Technology Development Roadmap to the European Commission at a launch event attended by key stakeholders from across the energy sector.
Patrick Clerens, EASE Secretary General, and Mathias Noe, Coordinator at the EERA Joint Programme Energy Storage, officially presented the document to Mr Jose Cotta, Head of Unit for Advanced Energy production at the Directorate General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission, and Mr Dimitrios Sofianopoulos from the New Energy Technologies, Innovation and Clean Coal Unit at the Directorate for Energy.
Read now the full press release: EASE-EERA Energy Storage Technology Development Roadmap presented to European Commission
EASE Student Award Winner 2017
EASE is happy to announce the winner of the second edition of the EASE Student Award contest: Oliver Schmidt!
The EASE Student Award recognizes outstanding graduate student research in the field of energy storage. It is awarded every year to one student who has completed a thesis on energy storage at an accredited EU university. Oliver presented his work on the 18th October 2017 during the EASE-EERA Energy Storage Roadmap Launch Event and had the opportunity to meet with members from the various EASE bodies.
In his paper "The future cost of electrical energy storage based on experience rates" Oliver and his co-authors derive a new dataset of experience curves that enables researchers, policymakers and industry to make future cost projections by including their own assumptions and engage in evidence-based discussions on how the energy storage industry as a whole might evolve.
This research is a first-of-its-kind compilation of data on price and cumulative installation development for the most promising electricity storage technologies.
Oliver is a PhD Researcher in Energy Storage at the Imperial College London and holds an MSc degrees in Sustainable Energy Futures. During his studies, he developed a strong interest in energy storage focusing on the future costs of energy storage and its value in low-carbon energy systems.
"EASE is always willing to promote additional research and development done by young graduates in the field of energy storage" said Patrick Clerens, EASE Secretary General. EASE believes that there is no transformation of the energy industry without energy storage.
Renewing the congratulations to Oliver from all EASE members, EASE would also like to thank all students who applied to the contest.
The "The future cost of electrical energy storage based on experience rates" paper is published in Nature Energy and it is available for download here.
ETIP SNET Implementation Plan: Setting Europe's research priorities for a smarter Energy Transition
ETIP SNET presented its Implementation Plan (IP) 2017-2020 on 5th October 2017 during European Utility Week 2017 in Amsterdam. The IP is the result of a long and wide-ranging consultation process.
Over the last year, more than 200 ETIP SNET members, through various working groups, took part in the IP's elaboration. In a second review phase, the paper also gathered nearly 70 responses from all stakeholders of the energy system via an online public consultation. This makes it a widely recognised report by all the actors of the energy transition.
The following four key priorities, which R&I projects, should focus on in the future are identified via 39 different "topics":
High-Renewable Energy Sources (RES) And Empowered End-User Energy System: Governance and Market Design.
Digitalisation of the Energy System
Integrated Grid with improved interfaces between Energy System Components
Improved components of the Energy System.
The Implementation Plan can be downloaded HERE
More information: www.etip-snet.eu
EASE's 3 Key Actions to Boost Thermal Energy Storage
EASE has published its Position Paper on Thermal Energy Storage (TES), which highlights the role of TES in supporting the energy transition. The paper outlines the applications and key features of TES systems and explains how the heating and cooling sector is important for the transition to a low-carbon energy system. Smart heat concepts, including thermal storage concepts, have the potential to provide the needed flexibility options – storage, demand response, and smart operation – on the short term and at a relatively low cost.
EASE proposes three concrete short-term actions that can further leverage the actions proposed by the Commission in the "Clean Energy for All Europeans" Package:
Assess the benefits and (market) potential of thermal energy storage options for prosumers, industry, and communities, among other flexibility solutions; improve efforts to communicate the role and benefits of thermal storage.
Implement non-discriminatory market incentives and regulatory frameworks across the EU for flexibility solutions.
Support demonstration and deployment projects for (new) integrated solutions which incorporate pre-commercial thermal energy storage options in smart energy systems to reach the required flexibility at lowest system costs.
These proposals would support the EU's goals to empower consumers, improve energy efficiency, and decarbonise the energy sector, including the often underexposed heating and cooling sector, in a cost-effective way.
To read the full press release, please click here…
Highview awarded £1.5 million for new Hybrid LAES system to respond to frequency response market
EASE member Highview Power Storage has been awarded funding of £1.5 million for a new hybrid configuration of its existing Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) system from Innovate UK, the UK's innovation agency.
Supercapacitors and flywheels will be added to the existing 5MW LAES Pre-Commercial Demonstrator
New Hybrid LAES system will be able to respond to National Grid's EFR and FFR service requirements
Faster response times of less than a second will make a hybrid LAES system competitive with batteries
EASE Student Award 2017 – Apply Here
The European Association for Storage of Energy is proud to announce the launch of its second annual Student Award, recognising outstanding graduate student research in the field of energy storage.
The winning student will be recognised publicly on the EASE website and social media and will be a guest at the EASE-organised Annual Event, which will take place in Brussels on Wednesday, 22.11.2017. EASE will cover transportation to and from Brussels as well as accommodation for the winning student. Additionally, the winner will have the opportunity to present his/her thesis at the EASE General Assembly taking place on 23.11.2017. Both are valuable opportunities to network with industry leaders in the energy storage sector and to learn about the latest policy and research developments in the field.
For more information on the selection procedure, the eligibility criteria and to apply, please click here.
Deadline to apply: Friday, 18.08.2017
Ignoring energy storage was a big mistake in the past
EASE published an article in the summer edition of the European Energy Innovation magazine.
To read it, click here.
Tender invitation: elaboration of a CBA method to evaluate the impact of 15 vs 30 min activation period for ES providing FCR
The European Association for Storage of Energy – EASE is planning to award a contract for the elaboration of a Cost-Benefit Analysis method to evaluate the impact of 15 vs 30 minutes activation period for energy storage providing Frequency. Containment Reserve (FCR).
The procurement documents consist of :
Contract Notice
Study Specifications
Deadline: Wednesday, 12 June 2017
EASE Recommendations on Sectoral Integration Through Power-to-Gas/Power-to-Liquid
EASE has published its position paper "EASE Recommendations on Sectoral Integration Through Power-to-Gas/Power-to-Liquid"
By using electricity generated from renewable energy sources (RES) to produce Green Hydrogen and other energy carriers, PtG and PtL belong to the few energy storage technologies available to store large amounts of energy seasonally and provide it on-demand to different sectors and applications. They have the potential to contribute significantly to the integration of renewable electricity into various sectors of the energy system, hence to support the objectives of the "Clean Energy for All Europeans" Package and the long-term vision of the Energy Union.
However, some key regulatory barriers are still blocking developments in the PtG and PtL sectors. To overcome these hurdles, EASE recommends some measures.
EASE newest members: Voith Hydro and CEA
We would like to extend a warm welcome to EASE newest members: Voith Hydro and CEA!
To learn more about them and their involvement in storage, please visit www.voith.com and www.cea.fr
EASE Calls for Coordinated Approach to Defining Grid Tariffs for Energy Storage
EASE has published its position paper "Energy Storage Deployment Hampered by Grid Charges" calling for a coordinated approach to defining grid tariffs for storage that recognises its alleviative effects on grid constraints and grid extension costs, while contributing to reduced curtailment of CO2 free electricity generation.
Tender invitation: CBA Modelling within the project TSO 2020 (CEF 2017-2020 – Synergy Call for proposal 2016-1)
The European Association for Storage of Energy – EASE is planning to award the contract for the Cost Benefit Analysis Modelling within the project "TSO 2020: Electric "Transmission and Storage Options" along TEN-E and TEN T corridor for 2020 – Framework of the Connecting Europe Facility 2017-2020 – Synergy Call for proposal 2016-1 .
Deadline: Wednesday, 7 June 2017
Energy storage to play key role in the biggest project funded by the CEF fund 2016
EASE is pleased to announce that the project "TSO 2020: Electric "Transmission and Storage Options" along TEN E and TEN T corridors for 2020" has been selected for funding through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding instrument.
Under the coordination of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment, EASE – in partnership with TenneT TSO, Nederlandse Gasunie, Green Planet Real Estate, TU Delft, and Stichting Energy Valley – will assess and value the key role of energy storage in the electricity transmission system by exploiting synergies between energy storage solutions and alternative transport infrastructure needs.
What's in store for the future of energy?
EASE is glad to have contributed to the May 2017 highlight on the energy transition of the Brussels Airlines magazine b.inspired!
Energy storage has the potential to play a vital role has the world transitions from traditional energy to renewable, sustainable energy sources…
EASE newest member: EXIDE Technologies
We would like to extend a warm welcome to EASE newest member: EXIDE Technologies!
To learn more about them and their involvement in storage, please visit www.exide.com
EU Commission Outlines Four Principles on the Way Forward for Energy Storage
EASE welcomes the Commission Staff Working Document on Energy Storage, which complements the "Clean Energy for All Europeans" Package issued in end-November 2016 and provides a valuable contribution to the policy debate. The European Commission recognises the value of energy storage as a source of system flexibility, and the subsequent need for a wide range of energy storage technologies capable of providing multiple services to the energy system.The document also outlines four principles on the way forward for energy storage.
EASE newest member: SEAS-NVE
We would like to extend a warm welcome to EASE newest member: SEAS-NVE!
To learn more about them and their involvement in storage, please visit www.seas-nve.dk
Final 10-year ETIP SNET R&I Roadmap 2017-26
The new 10 year ETIP SNET Research & Innovation (R&I) Roadmap 2017-26 provides the system view to the entire energy transition by addressing a scope larger than smart electricity grids: it also encompasses interactions with the gas and heat networks and focuses on integration of all flexibility solutions into the power system, including energy storage technologies.
"For Europe to integrate over 50% of variable renewable energy such as wind or solar efficiently and reliably into its power system in the future, the electricity networks will need to be able to utilise all kinds of flexibility. They will be the heart of the overall climate-friendly energy system through smart interactions with gas networks and heating and transport systems," says Konstantin Staschus, Chairman of the ETIP SNET.
The R&I activities for the decade to come, as described in the Roadmap, synthesize consolidated and balanced stakeholder views and rely on systematic monitoring and reviews of national, European and international projects.
The full implementation of all R&I activities is estimated at 2.5 billion euros needed to finance innovation over the next decade both for transmission and distribution systems, and to be co-financed from the public and private sector. The RD&I priorities defined in the Roadmap are organised in clusters and functional objectives. The clusters give an indication of the prioritised topics: modernisation of the network; integration of smart customers and buildings; security and system stability; power system flexibility from generation, storage, demand and network; integration of decentralized resources of these kinds; economic efficiency and digitalization of the power system; network operations; and planning and asset management.
The ETIP SNET Roadmap is available for download here, it is an update and significant extension of the previous EEGI roadmap 2013-2022.
More information about the ETIP SNET can be found on www.etip-snet.eu
Public Consultation: EASE and EERA Energy Storage Roadmap
The European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) and the Joint Programme on Energy Storage under the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) have come together to draft an updated Energy Storage Technology Development Roadmap.
The roadmap provides a comprehensive overview of the energy storage technologies being developed in Europe today and identifies the RD&D needs in the coming decades. On this basis, the roadmap provides recommendations for R&D policies and regulatory changes needed to support the development and large-scale deployment of energy storage technologies. The aim is to inform policymakers for research, innovation, and demonstration in the energy storage sector in order to further strengthen Europe's research and industrial competitiveness in the energy storage industry. This updated roadmap comes four years after the publication of the first joint EASE-EERA technology development roadmap on energy storage.
EASE and EERA are pleased to launch a public consultation on the draft Energy Storage Technology Development Roadmap. We wish to include a wide range of views from stakeholders, as this is an important element to ensure a comprehensive and constructive document. All interested stakeholders with a stake in the development of the European energy storage industry are therefore welcome to participate in this public consultation.
The documents for consultation are available below. You may download and provide feedback on the entire roadmap, or you may choose to review only certain chapters.
We kindly ask you to provide clear, detailed feedback on the draft roadmap by proposing modifications to the text using track changes.
More general feedback can also be provided via e-mail. However, please keep in mind that specific, concrete feedback will be easier for EASE and EERA to integrate into the roadmap text.
Please send the documents containing your comments and modifications to Brittney Becker (EASE Policy Officer) at b.becker@ease-storage.eu no later than Friday, 17 February 2017 (EOB).
Following the public consultation, a one-day workshop is foreseen on Wednesday, 15 March 2017, in Brussels. To register, please click here.
The workshop will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to learn more about the roadmap effort, to provide and discuss feedback, and to agree on any open questions brought up in the course of the public consultation. The public consultation document with the merged comments and changes will be distributed to workshop participants prior to the workshop.
Full EASE/EERA Roadmap (click here to download the full roadmap)
Summary (click here to download)
Methodology and Overview (click here to download)
Mission and Objectives of the Roadmap (click here to download)
European and Global Policy as a Driver for Energy Storage Demand (click here to download)
The Need for Energy Storage, Applications, and Potentials in Europe (click here to download)
Energy Storage Technologies
Chemical Energy Storage (click here to download)
Electrochemical Energy Storage (click here to download)
Electrical Energy Storage (click here to download)
Mechanical Energy Storage (click here to download)
Thermal Energy Storage (click here to download)
Market Design and Policy Recommendations (click here to download)
Recommendations and Proposed Timeline for Activities (click here to download)
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Brittney Becker via e-mail (b.becker@ease-storage.eu) or by phone (+32 2 743 29 82).
Call for ETIPSNET Working Groups candidates
The new European Technology and Innovation Platform Smart Networks for Energy Transition (ETIP SNET) just launched its activities last week and is seeking experts to take an active part in five Working Groups. The Working Groups (WGs) will address matters such as: the reliability and efficiency of the smart grid system, storage and interface to other energy networks, flexibility of generation, digitalisation of the energy system and exploitation of research results.
The ETIP Working Groups are to ensure the involvement and contribution of all the stakeholders of the energy system as a whole, providing vision, inputs, guidance and continuous feedback for the development of the integrated R&I Roadmap. The WGs gather experts representing the widest community of stakeholders related to their area of expertise. Experts acting in the Working Groups aim at providing strategic guidance about RD&I priorities and activities, ensuring the interaction and involvement of the entire expertise needs raised by the integration issues of the electricity system into the wider European energy system. Experts contribute to the WG on a voluntary basis and no reimbursement of expenses is foreseen.
The 5 active working groups of the ETIP SNET are:
WG1: Reliable, economic and efficient smart grid systems
WG2: Storage technologies and sector interfaces
WG3: Flexible generation
WG4: Digitisation of the electricity system and customer participation
WG5: Innovation implementation in the business environment
More information on the working groups and their Terms of Reference are available here.
If you are an expert in this field and you are willing to contribute in setting this vision, please send you candidature through this link.
(Important: candidatures received through other channels will not be considered)
Deadline: Friday, 20.01.2017 at 17:00 (CET)
ETIP SNET designates WGs Chairs & Co-Chairs
The new European Technology and Innovation Platform Smart Networks for Energy Transition (ETIP SNET), created in the framework of the EU's new Integrated Roadmap of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (the SET Plan), has the aim to guide research, development and innovation to support Europe's energy transition with innovation for the transmission and distribution systems. These systems form the technical and market platforms where clean electricity generation, empowered customers, storage technologies, smarter grids and interfaces to gas, heat and transport networks make the energy transition happen in secure and affordable ways.
During its 4th Governing Board meeting on 09.12.2016, the ETIP SNET designated the chairs and co-chairs of 5 working groups. We are glad to announce that for the WG2: Storage technologies and sector interfaces the following people have been appointed:
Chair: Cristina La Marca, ENEL (DSOs, Storage, Flexible and RES Generation)
Co-chairs: Carlos Arsuaga, CIRCE (Research and Academia) and Mathilde Bieber, G.E (Equipment suppliers)
Additionally, EASE also welcomes the nomination of Dr Emmanouil Kakaras, MHPSE on behalf of EPPSA and EASE (Equipment suppliers, Storage and Sector Interface) as Chair of WG5: Innovation implementation in the business environment.
For more information, you can read the press release here or visit www.etip-snet.eu
EASE's 2016 Overview
We have come to the end of the year, making this the time to reflect on what we have achieved and also to thank our members, team and colleagues who have contributed to spreading EASE messages in support of energy storage throughout 2016.
Here are some of our 2016 highlights:
Welcoming the Clean Energy for All Europeans package, published by the European Commission in end-November, with three main goals: putting energy efficiency first, achieving global leadership in renewable energies, and providing a fair deal for consumers. The recast of the Electricity Directive (to read EASE's press release, please click here), a key element of the package, establishes a legal definition for energy storage. The package also includes a Communication on Accelerating Clean Energy Innovation (to read EASE's press release, please click here), which lays out a framework for action to increase public and private investments in low-carbon technologies and pushes for the development of clean energy business models. The Communication recognises the importance of energy storage by designating it as a priority area for clean energy research and innovation, alongside electro-mobility, decarbonisation of the building stock, and the integration of renewables.
Energy Storage Ownership points agreed by the EASE members
Energy Storage Global Conference 2016: on 27-29.09.2016, EASE organised in Brussels the second Energy Storage Global Conference in Brussels. More than 220 delegates attended the Conference, which saw 49 speakers from the industry, research centres and international bodies from the electricity, renewables and storage sectors, as well as representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament and national administrations.
End of the Grid+Storage project: EASE was part of a consortium supporting the European Commission in defining an integrated R&D strategy in smart grids and energy storage. The roadmap was approved by the ETIP SNET on 9 December 2016.
European Technology and Innovation Platform for Smart Networks for the Energy Transition (ETIP SNET): EASE was nominated Vice-Chair of the ETIP SNET Governing Board and will play an active role in the Working Group on energy storage. EASE is also a member of the INTESYS4EU consortium, which will manage the ETIP SNET activities.
EASE Members and team had the chance to visit Terna's Storage Lab in Sardinia, a unique project that is designed to analyse the performance of selected battery technologies when used to provide essential grid services such as frequency regulation, secondary regulation, and voltage regulation. In addition to testing various services, the Lab is tasked with putting the most popular energy storage technology providers (e.g., Samsung, LG, BYD, SAFT, Toshiba, GE and FIAMM) through their paces in order to prove their performance when working in real case scenarios.
Additionally, if you would like further information on…
…our members, please click here
…our publications, please click here
…our news, please click here
…our events, please click here
Lastly, for the latest news and updates on EASE and energy storage, you can also follow us on Twitter (@EASE_ES).
Thank you again to all those who contributed to our activities this year. We are excited to see what 2017 will bring for EASE and for the larger energy storage community!
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email us at info[@]ease-storage.eu
EASE welcomes the Communication on "Accelerating Clean Energy Innovation"
EASE is very pleased that the European Commission has published its Communication on Accelerating Clean Energy Innovation which lays out a framework for action to increase public and private investments in low-carbon technologies and pushes for the development of clean energy business models. The Communication recognises the importance of energy storage by designating it as a priority area for clean energy research and innovation, alongside electro-mobility, decarbonisation of the building stock, and the integration of renewables.
Read the full press release here…
Publication of Electricity New Market Design Package
EASE compliments the European Commission on the Electricity New Market Design Package that was just released.
The proposed regulation is quite comprehensive and a very good start. EASE welcomes the definition of energy storage included in the revised Electricity Directive, supporting investment certainty. It foresees technology and application evolution and does not limit energy storage to electricity-in/electricity-out; rather, it encompasses 'power-to-x' and thermal heat energy storage systems.
Successful Closing of Second Energy Storage Global Conference
"Energy Storage is a prerequisite for more renewables"
Vice-President Šefčovič at the closing day of the successful Second Energy Storage Global Conference
From the 27th to the 29th of September 2016, the European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) organised in Brussels the second Energy Storage Global Conference.
More than 220 delegates attended the Conference, which saw 49 speakers from the industry, research centres and international bodies from the electricity, renewables and storage sectors, as well as representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament and national administrations.
EASE Recommendations for the Ownership of Energy Storage
EASE is glad to announce its five recommendations concerning the Ownership of Energy Storage.
The European Union should provide a clear legislative framework on ownership for the Energy Storage industry in order to support investment in the sector. Therefore, EASE is calling upon the EU institutions to take these recommendations into account in the upcoming revision of the Renewable Energy Directive, the Energy Efficiency Directive, and especially the New Energy Market Design legislation ("Winter Package").
Towards a New Energy Market Design: the European Parliament supports energy storage
EASE welcomes the adoption of the ITRE Report "Towards a New Energy Market Design", proposed by MEP Werner Langen (EPP, DE). It was approved today by the European Parliament in its plenary session in Strasbourg with 454 votes in favour and can be seen as a clear sign that energy storage should play a major role in this new framework.
EASE new member: LGChem
We would like to extend a warm welcome to EASE newest member: LGChem!
To learn more about them and their involvement in storage, please visit www.lgchem.com
EASE Student Award Winner
EASE is pleased to announce its Student Award Winner!
EASE is happy to announce the winner of the first edition of the EASE Student Award contest: Eduard Ignatev! He will now have the opportunity to attend the second edition of the Energy Storage Global Conference, which will take place in Brussels on 27-29.2016, as well as to collaborate with some of the EASE bodies.
His thesis on Performance Degradation Modelling and Techno-Economic Analysis of Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage Systems was selected because of his innovative and highly topical research on the application of lithium-ion batteries to provide primary frequency regulation.
Eduard holds MSc degrees in Electrical Engineering from the Lappeenranta University of Technology (Finland) and Moscow Power Engineering Institute. During his studies, he developed a strong interest in energy storage as part of the smart grids and sustainable infrastructure development. In the future he hopes to specialise in designing and engineering power systems while promoting trendsetting technology solutions such as energy storage.
"EASE is dedicated to promoting young talents in the field and will continue to support students who are keen to contribute to the development and research of energy storage", said Patrick Clerens, EASE Secretary General. "We look forward to welcoming Eduard to our Global Conference and to involving him in the work of EASE bodies."
Renewing the congratulations to Eduard from all EASE members, EASE would also like to thank all students who applied to the contest.
EASE Vice-President elected Vice Chairman of EU Research Platform for Smart Networks
EASE is happy to announce that the European Technology and Innovation Platform for Smart Networks for the Energy Transition (ETIP SNET) nominated Mr Thierry Le Boucher, EASE Vice President, EDF, as one of its two Vice Chairmen.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION on the draft Grid+Storage 10-year roadmap
The Grid+Storage consortium is glad to announce the publication of their draft research and innovation (R&I) roadmap 2016-2025, integrating for the first time energy storage issues into electricity network activities.
The development of this integrated roadmap has been based on a thorough monitoring of past and ongoing research projects and on the gathering of research and innovation needs identified by European stakeholders during 9 regional workshops.
All stakeholders of the electricity value chain and of other energy networks are invited to provide feedback about the detailed activities foreseen in the roadmap which should drive the energy storage and smart grids R&I strategy at European level for the next decade.
The public consultation is running up to 5 July 2016. Online questionnaires are available on Grid+Storage website
For websites other than Grid+Storage:
About Grid+Storage: Complementing the activities performed so far by the European Electricity Grid Initiative (EEGI) and the Grid+ project, a consortium formed by TECHNOFI, EASE, EDSO, ENTSO-E, RSE and VITO has been selected by the European Commission to support DG Energy and the Member States in defining a European R&D roadmap integrating energy storage into grid research and innovation activities, both at electricity transmission and distribution levels. More information at http://www.gridplusstorage.eu/.
Energy Storage: a Decarbonisation Enabler
In the framework of the COP21, EASE would like to present a paper to highlight the importance of Energy Storage as a Decarbonisation Enabler as well as the challenges ahead of us.
Read the full paper here…
Towards a Fair Market Design for Energy Storage and a New Deal for Energy Consumers
EASE supports the Market Reforms proposed by the European Commission
July 2015.
Download full version here.
Grid+Storage
EASE is part of a consortium supporting the European Commission in defining an integrated R&D strategy in smart grids and energy storage
February 2015.
For more information, please check out the project website.
Dr Klaus Peter Röttgen (E.ON) takes over EASE presidency on January 1st 2015
Three years after the creation of the European Association for Storage of Energy, the presidency is renewed for the first time.
Successful closing of First Energy Storage Global Conference
From the 19th to the 21st of November, EASE, the European Association for Storage of Energy, organised the first Energy Storage Global Conference in the Cercle National des Armées in Paris, together with ESA and ATEE-CSE (respectively the American and French Energy Storage Association), DG Joint Research Centre and DG Energy of the European Commission and Sandia National Laboratories.
More than 150 delegates attended this first conference, which saw 40 speakers from the European Commission, the National Administrations, Industry, Research Centres and other National & International bodies.
EASE welcomes the creation of GESA
The European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) welcomes the creation of GESA, the Global Energy Storage Alliance.
On April 1st,2014 GESA was jointly founded by the California Energy Storage Alliance (CESA), the German Energy Storage Association (BVES), the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA), the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), the US Energy Storage Association (ESA), and the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE). The main aim of this international body is to advance education, collaboration, knowledge and proven frameworks about the benefits of energy storage globally.
EASE, as the voice of the energy storage community, actively promoting the use of energy storage in Europe and worldwide, supports the vision and aims of the Global Energy Storage Alliance and looks forward to a fruitful cooperation of both associations in the future.
European Association for Storage of Energy launches website
N° 01-12
European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) unveils www.ease-storage.eu as a tool to help develop and promote the use of energy storage in Europe and worldwide.
Creation of EASE: European Association for Storage of Energy
A group of Europe's leading players in the energy sector, including manufacturers, utilities and academic bodies, came together in Brussels on September 27 to sign the formal constitution for the creation of the European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE). This international non-profit association is focused on acting as a coherent voice to promote the roles of energy storage as key enabling technologies for Europe's transition towards a sustainable, flexible and stable energy system.
Contribution of EASE to ENTSO-E's Cost- Benefit Analysis methodology for Energy Storage
EASE presented its contribution to ENTSO-E's Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) Methodology for Energy Storage projects in the context of the EUropean energy infrasturcture priorities and ENTSO-E's Ten Year Development Plan (TYNDP) at today's Stakeholders Workshop.
ENTSO-E's CBA methodology of Drid Development Projects
The new European Regulation on guidelines for the implementation of European energy infrastructure priorities came into force on 15 May 2013.
In this context, ENTSO-E, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity, is developing a CBA methodology with the purpose of:
Producing a system-wide CBA, allowing the assessment of all TYNDP projects in a homogeneous way;
Producing the basis for the assessment of all the electricity projects of common interest (PCIs);
If required, provide information for cost allocation and incentive/grants for the PCIs.
EASE Contribution
ENTSO-E has asked EASE to provide insights on a CBA for energy storage projects, an assessment to be used for the evaluation of storage devices on transmission systems.
EASE delivered the requested input commenting on the validity and suitableness of the proposed indicators for energy storage projects, and developing a specific environmental indicator "social and environmental sensibility" for energy storage technologies.
In this context, EASE favours a CBA method for energy storage as close as possible to the CBA method for interconnections.
Overall, EASE welcomes this initiative and recognises the usefulness of elaborating a CBA method in order to assess the importance of storage for the electrical system, within the European energy infrastructure priorities and the TYNDP framework.
Finally, EASE looks forward to closely collaborating with ENTSO-E in the 2016 TYNDP.
To read EASE's contritution click here
EASE and EURELECTRIC sign MoU
EASE and EURELECTRIC sign Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation to promote energy storage
Last Tuesday in Malta, on the occasion of EURELECTRIC's Annual Convention & Conference, EASE's Secretary General, Patrick Clerens, and EURELECTRIC's Secretary General, Hans ten Berge, signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning collaborative work between the two associations on topics of mutual interest.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalises the terms and conditions for the exchange of information between the two organisations, ensuring proper legal protection and balanced cooperation on a series of topics of common interest in the field of energy storage. It also foresees the possibility of cross-party participation in specific reviews or working groups and joint events.
Both EASE and EURELECTRIC look forward to utilising this new framework to achieve an even more fruitful dialogue between the two organisations.
EASE and ESA sign MoU
EASE and ESA sign Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation to promote energy storage
Last Thursday in Washington DC, on the occasion of ESA's 22nd Annual Meeting, EASE's Secretary General, Patrick Clerens, and ESA's Executive Director, Brad Roberts, signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning collaborative work between the two associations on the relevant issues regarding energy storage and its development and integration.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalises the terms and conditions for the exchange of information between the two organisations, ensuring proper legal protection and balanced cooperation on a series of topics of common interest in the field of energy storage. It also foresees the possibility of cross-party participation in specific reviews or working groups and joint studies.
Both EASE and ESA look forward to utilising this new framework to achieve an even more fruitful dialogue between the two organisations.