Siemens Infrastructure & Cities put an energy storage solution into operation in Italy at the end of February 2012. It is a pilot plant with an output of one megavolt ampere (1 MVA) and a capacity of 500 kWh. The energy storage solution belongs to the Siestorage series and has been installed in the medium voltage distribution network of Enel, the biggest power utility of Italy, headquartered in Rome. Enel uses it to study new Smart Grid solutions for voltage regulation, the integration of renewable energy sources into the medium voltage network, the integration of an electric vehicle charging station into the medium voltage network as well as to study black start capabilities.
Distributed, renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines and photovoltaic plants, are making a bigger and bigger contribution to the energy mix of the public power supply. However, because the amount of electrical power they generate cannot be predicted, their increasing use is creating new challenges in terms of system stability, integration into the power grid, operating reserves, quality of voltage and supply, as well as peak load management. To help its customers meet these challenges, Siemens has developed, in conjunction with one of the world's largest manufacturers of lithium ion batteries, the modular energy storage system, which extends its solution portfolio to include stationary and modular energy storage solution for power distribution systems. With a compact battery and converter cabinet as the smallest unit, the capacity of the Siestorage energy storage system can be expanded to up to 2 MWh and its output up to 8 MW.
Siemens provides Siestorage energy storage solutions for applications such as stabilizing distribution systems with a high proportion of distributed, renewable power generating plants. Other applications include supplying emergency power to vulnerable industrial production processes, computer centers and hospitals. There are also energy storage solutions for energy-efficient buildings, island networks, smaller, independent auxiliary power systems, public transport and electric mobility applications.
