NEC Ukrenergo tested the first in Ukraine industrial lithium-ion energy storage system DTEK with a capacity of 1 MW and a capacity of 2.25 MWh on August 26-31. Based on the test results, the battery was certified to provide ancillary services - frequency maintenance reserve (FFC) to the transmission system operator.
“DTEK's energy storage system has successfully passed the certification by NEC Ukrenergo. This is the first certification of such a technological facility in the history of the Ukrainian energy sector and the first lithium-ion battery, which ensures the systemic reliability of the country's energy system. We are glad that DTEK made this contribution to the development of the Ukrainian energy sector and the formation of the market for energy storage systems in Ukraine, ”said Emanuele Volpe, DTEK Innovation Director.
According to him, Ukrenergo, together with DTEK specialists, has developed the first test program for energy storage systems in Ukraine. This included testing the ability of the battery to carry the base load, testing the sensitivity of the battery settings, and testing the speed of response when the mains frequency deviated from the nominal.
The audit confirmed that DTEK's energy storage system is capable of increasing or decreasing power from zero to full reserve in 0.4-0.6 seconds, while the transmission system code regulates this time at around 30 seconds. That is, batteries are capable of performing system services of much better quality. The battery responded to frequency deviations in less than 0.1 seconds.
It should also be noted that before the certification of the battery, frequency regulation in Ukraine was carried out mainly by units of coal-fired thermal power plants. The use of energy storage systems will reduce the load on coal plants and contribute to the decarbonization of the country's energy system.
“For DTEK Energy, SNE certification is an important and symbolic event. If until now TPPs were one of the main maneuvering capacities, now in many countries they have already been replaced by SNEs with their clean energy and quick response. Therefore, for us, battery certification is another step towards great change. The changes that we, as a generating company, have outlined for ourselves in order to become more environmentally friendly, efficient and competitive. DTEK Energy supports the transformation of the industry and moves towards the future, ”said Ildar Saleev, CEO of DTEK Energy.
Energy storage systems are the key to Ukraine's energy security, as they can balance the energy system, guaranteeing its flexibility, which will accelerate the transition to green energy sources and promote decarbonization. In addition, batteries can provide instant regulation of the grid frequency and guarantee stable power quality, as well as help Ukraine synchronize with the European ENTSO-E energy system.
As a reminder, on May 20, 2021, DTEK opened the first in Ukraine industrial lithium-ion energy storage system (SNE) with a capacity of 1 MW and a capacity of 2.25 MWh.
The battery is installed in the city of Energodar at the site of the Zaporozhye TPP and is intended for the selection, storage and delivery of electricity to the grid, as well as for the provision of services to ensure the reliability of the energy system of Ukraine. This is DTEK's pilot project to find the optimal models for the operation of power supply systems in various segments of the country's energy market. In July of this year, 16 DTEK power engineers were trained to operate and maintain the first energy storage system in Ukraine. It was conducted by representatives of Honeywell, a manufacturer of energy storage systems.
