NEC Energy Solutions has completed the installation of an 18MW/7.5MWh battery energy storage solution system at Elektrizitätswerke des Kantons Zürich (EKZ), one of Switerland’s power distribution companies.
Image: NEC installs 18MW battery in Switzerland. Photo: Courtesy of Charles Thompson/FreeImages.com.
NEC stated that the energy storage system will be used for primary frequency reserve. It is located at an existing substation in Volketswil, near Zurich and can power the equivalent of the daily electricity consumption of 600 average four-person households.
The system will mostly be used for primary frequency reserve to stabilize grid frequency in response to frequency deviations, but it can also be used for other ancillary services and is expected to have a payback of 5-7 years.
EKZ storage specialist Marina González Vayá said: “Battery storage is a vital part of future energy supply. The now-completed storage system contributes to the stability of continental Europe’s power grid.”
NEC Energy Solutions CEO Steve Fludder said: “We are excited to deliver the largest energy storage project in Switzerland. As countries modernize their power grids across the world, NEC’s storage solutions enable the transformation to a cleaner, more renewable and more digital electric power system of the future. We value the confidence and trust which EKZ has placed in us.”
EKZ claims to be one of the largest energy suppliers in Switzerland, offering 100% renewable energy. It supplies energy to nearly a million people through a network that stretches over 15,000km.
Earlier this month, NEC installed a 2MW/2MWh lithium ion battery energy storage system for Engie Energía Chile. Claimed to be the first energy storage system for Engie in the region, it also marks the third project for NEC in Chile. Since 2009, the company installed about 34MW in grid energy storage solutions.
The energy storage system for Engie was installed at Arica in Northern Chile and will be connected to an existing substation.
Last November, NEC secured contracts for two UK energy storage projects totaling 19MW. Origami Energy developed the two projects, which were acquired by Gore Street Energy Storage Fund. The contracts were full turnkey projects for NEC.