Inertia-ready: RWE’s Innovative Battery Energy Storage System in Moerdijk Begins Commercial Operation
RWE has launched its first battery energy storage system (BESS) capable of providing inertia services to the grid at its power plant site in Moerdijk, Netherlands. This system is the first of its kind operating within the Central European grid. The BESS boasts an installed capacity of 7.5 megawatts (MW) and a storage capacity of 11 megawatt-hours (MWh). Its advanced control technology and inverters with grid-forming capabilities enable it to respond within milliseconds, either supplying or absorbing power, which is essential for stabilizing the power grid—a service referred to as inertia.
As the share of renewable energy sources in power generation increases, maintaining grid stability becomes more challenging. Inertia is vital as it represents the fastest form of balancing energy available in the grid. Traditionally, inertia has been provided by the rotating masses of turbines, such as those found in coal-fired power plants.
Nikolaus Valerius, CEO of RWE Generation SE, commented, “Our newest plant in Moerdijk demonstrates that ultra-fast battery energy storage systems can deliver the grid-serving inertia that was once solely the domain of conventional power plants. As we phase out fossil fuel-fired large power plants, the need for such systems to stabilize the grid will continue to grow.”
The Moerdijk BESS was developed as part of the OranjeWind project, a collaborative offshore wind initiative off the Dutch coast led by RWE and TotalEnergies. Utilizing cutting-edge lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) technology along with rapid inverters, this plant serves as a model for RWE’s plans to significantly enhance its BESS capabilities globally.
In conjunction with its commercial operation, the Moerdijk facility will undergo a two-year pilot phase aimed at establishing standards for future BESS capable of providing inertia. RWE will collaborate with transmission system operator TenneT to develop the technical requirements and grid compliance procedures for the grid-forming capabilities of the plant.
As a key player in the energy transition, RWE is actively involved in the development, construction, and operation of battery storage systems across the US, Europe, and Australia. Currently, the company operates battery storage systems with a total capacity of approximately 1,200 megawatts (MW).
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/rwe-launches-innovative-inertia-ready-battery-energy-storage-system-in-moerdijk-2/
