A battery energy storage system (BESS) pilot project has been commissioned in Lithuania, paving the way for a much bigger rollout of the technology scheduled to begin soon. Contact online >>
A battery energy storage system (BESS) pilot project has been commissioned in Lithuania, paving the way for a much bigger rollout of the technology scheduled to begin soon.
Described as the first project of its kind in both Lithuania and the wider Baltic States region, the 1MW / 1MWh BESS provided by Fluence is connected to the transmission network at a substation in the capital Vilnius.
It will be used to test the capabilities of the technology to help stabilise the electricity grid and — as Energy-Storage.news reported in detail in April as the project got underway — will act as a virtual transmission line asset for grid operator Litgrid.
The batteries can absorb power when there is congestion on the grid and put it back in when it''s most needed. Litgrid is also looking at how the proven ability of battery storage to support the grid with synthetic inertia, frequency regulation, voltage management and other services can be applied to its own networks.
As noted in April, Lithuania''s electricity system is seeking closer synchronisation with European partners, moving from what Litgrid CEO Rokas Masiulis said is the "post-Soviet grid", while the Baltic nation also imports a lot of its power from abroad. The country wants to ensure 70% of domestic power consumption is met from domestic sources by 2030, with just under half of that to come from renewable energy.
"Currently we have a unique situation in Lithuania – we are synchronising and preparing to take over the management of all parameters of the electricity system, active development of renewable resources is underway, ambitious battery projects are being prepared," Masiulis said this week.
"All this constitutes the perfect medium to use battery energy storage systems not only as a means of storing and subsequently using surplus energy from renewable sources, but also to adapt them to ensure the reliable operation of the power transmission network. This is the purpose of this first project – Litgrid specialists will test the battery’s ability to perform different transmission network functions in real operating conditions of the Lithuanian electricity system."
Moving forward, four 50MW / 50MWh BESS projects with a combined rated output and capacity of 200MW / 200MWh are planned to be installed by October 2022, at substations in Vilnius, Alytus, Utena and Šiauliai. They will be deployed by Energy Cells, a subsidiary of energy transmission and exchange group EPSO-G Group, which is owned by the Lithuanian state and controlled by the ministry of energy.
Energy Cells was established in January this year to work on the 200MW portfolio. At the time, the company said the BESS will help enable Lithuania''s energy security and reliable operation of the grid. Their main function will be to act as primary reserve, offering instantaneous restoration of power.
As the integration with Europe''s power sector is underway, the systems will turn more towards helping enable higher shares of renewable energy. Experts from Kaunas University of Technology made a study to determine that the 200MW of batteries would have a significant impact on ensuring network reliability and would eliminate the need for nearly 300MW of new power generation capacity.
Republic of Lithuania energy minister Dainius Kreivys said that the 1MW system "will provide valuable knowledge in preparation for the implementation of the 200 MW battery system project, and will contribute to the stability of the electricity grid in preparation for synchronisation".
"The Lithuanian electricity system is on the path of transformation, and the assimilation of new technologies is one of the key conditions for a successful transformation," the minister said.
Testing of the new battery park system with a combined capacity of 200 megawatts (MW) and 200 megawatt-hours (MWh) has begun, said Lithuania’s Energy Minister, Dainius Kreivys, last week.
After the tests are complete, the battery park system will be fully integrated into the country''s electricity transmission network, increasing the stability and reliability of the Lithuanian electric power system. This will be Lithuania’s first battery park system and one of the biggest in Europe.
"Not only will the batteries increase the reliability of the system – but they will also enable us to disconnect from the BRELL ring and synchronise with the continental European network ahead of schedule, in 2024," said Minister Kreivys.
The system of battery storage facilities, designed to ensure the instantaneous energy reserve for Lithuania, will comprise four battery farms in Vilnius, Šiauliai, Alytus and Utena with 312 battery cubes – 78 in each farm. The total combined capacity of the energy storage system is to be integrated into the Lithuanian grid by Energy Cells. Along with specially made transformers and other equipment, all 312 battery cells have already been installed and connected in the battery parks at the transformer substations.
If an accident occurs in the power system, this battery system will be able to start supplying energy and resume energy supply throughout Lithuania in a matter of seconds – this is its key function until synchronisation with the continental European network (CEN). In the event of disruptions in the power grid, energy from the battery parks can be automatically transferred to the grid within one second and supplied until the secondary reserve – the Kruonis hydroelectric power plant – is connected.
After synchronisation and final connection to the CEN, this system will contribute to the rapid integration of growing renewable energy sources by storing solar and wind power and returning it to the grid when needed.
"We will already be ready to provide the instantaneous reserve service at the end of this year. We will be ready, which means that if there is a need, we will be able to supply electricity to the grid until other sources of electricity supply are connected", said Rimvydas Štilinis, CEO of Energy Cells, which is the company implementing the project.
The lithium-ion battery parks which are installed by a consortium of US Fluence and German Siemens Energy will operate as a joint system – making it one of the first and largest sites in Europe.
The EU’s NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility, under the ‘New-Generation Lithuania’ plan allocated 87.6 million euros for the installation of the battery energy storage system. The total value of the project, which is meant to provide Lithuania with an instantaneous electricity reserve and the ability to work independently in isolated mode, will reach 109 million euros.
The operator of the battery system is Energy Cells, which is 100 per cent owned by the EPSO-G group of energy transmission and exchange companies. The rights and obligations of EPSO-G are implemented by the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania, the sole shareholder of EPSO-G.
About Lithuania battery management systems
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Lithuania battery management systems have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Lithuania battery management systems for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Lithuania battery management systems featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
