The new energy storage systems include 24MW/9MWh and 16MW/6MWh. They feature Kokam’s ultra high power lithium-ion nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) technology to deliver high-power output, fast recharging and long-cycle life with reduced cost.
The ultra high power NMC technology is designed for high-power energy storage applications, including frequency regulation, wind or large solar power system ramp rate control, uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and voltage support.
Kokam said that the two new batteries, together with a Kokam 16MW/5MWh lithium titanate oxide (LTO) energy storage system (ESS) deployed in August 2015, provides 56MW of energy storage capacity for frequency regulation for the South Korean utility.
Kokam Power Solutions Division vice-president Ike Hong said: "Our Energy Storage Systems provide KEPCO with the performance it needs to precisely and cost-effectively regulate frequency on the South Korean grid, helping it ensure the stability of this grid, improve its operational efficiency and lower its greenhouse gas emissions."
The 56MW of storage capacity is part of ESS frequency regulation project, which aims to deploy 500MW of battery-based energy storage for frequency regulation by 2017.
The ESS frequency regulation project is claimed to be the largest of its kind in the world.
KEPCO Innovative Energy Business Division senior vice-president, head Hwang Woohyun said: "Kokam’s 56MW of Energy Storage Systems are making a major contribution to the stabilization of our grid, and we hope to continue to cooperate with Kokam to develop energy storage projects that improve grid reliability, lower our operational costs and reduce our environmental impact."
The Kokam ESSs are expected to help improve grid reliability and operation efficiency for KEPCO, by reducing its need for spinning power generation reserves.
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the storage systems will allow the utility to shift energy generation to lower cost, more efficient power plants and decrease "wear and tear" on all its power plants.
Image: The Kokam’s 16MW energy storage system deployed in South Korea. Photo: (c) Kokam.
