“The large-scale battery storage system successfully provided grid support for the first time even before the system was officially commissioned,” said Enrique Garralaga Rojas (Dr.-Ing.), general manager of SMA Sunbelt Energy GmbH. “In January, a major blackout almost occurred in Europe due to a significant drop in frequency to below 50 Hz; thanks to the use of battery-storage systems such as those in Bennewitz and Langenreichenbach, a failure of the electricity supply was prevented,” continued Rojas. “The SMA solution including Sunny Central Storage battery inverters and the SMA Hybrid Controller ensures optimal integration of the storage system into the utility grid.”
“The lead-carbon storage system in Bennewitz has a capacity of 25 MWh and is used, just like the other battery-storage systems from the Upside Group, to provide services of benefit to the grid,” said Marc Reimer, general manager at Upside. “In this project, we are once again placing our trust in SMA’s coordinated system solution because charging and discharging of batteries can be optimally controlled using the powerful SMA battery inverters. As such, the large-scale storage system contributes to both grid relief in the entire region and the stabilization of the Central European utility grid.”
Bennewitz is already the second joint project for SMA Sunbelt Energy GmbH and the investor, Upside Invest GmbH & Co. KG. Just like in the 25 MWh project in Langenreichenbach, lead-carbon batteries from Narada and Sunny Central Storage battery inverters compensate for grid fluctuations and ensure grid stability. In total, 18 containers with more than 10,500 battery cells and nine battery inverters were installed on bases in such a way that they are safe from floods and connected to the utility grid for the large-scale battery-storage system. The batteries come from China, have a service life of 20 years and are recyclable.
About Upside
The Upside Group develops, maintains and operates its own portfolio of PV power plants and battery-storage systems for the provision of grid management services. In addition, the Upside Group offers a consultancy service to companies worldwide on the construction of turnkey projects, financing and challenging issues in the energy industry.
Disclaimer:
This press release serves only as information and does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for, acquire, hold or sell any securities of SMA Solar Technology AG (the “Company”) or any present or future subsidiary of the Company (together with the Company, the “SMA Group”) nor should it form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract to purchase or subscribe for any securities in the Company or any member of the SMA Group or commitment whatsoever. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
This press release can contain future-oriented statements. Future-oriented statements are statements which do not describe facts of the past. They also include statements about our assumptions and expectations. These statements are based on plans, estimations and forecasts which the Managing Board of SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA or company) has available at this time. Future-oriented statements are therefore only valid on the day on which they are made. Future-oriented statements by nature contain risks and elements of uncertainty. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors can lead to considerable differences between the actual results, the financial position, the development or the performance of the corporation and the estimates given here. These factors include those which SMA has discussed in published reports. These reports are available on the SMA website at www.SMA.de. The company accepts no obligation whatsoever to update these future-oriented statements or to adjust them to future events or developments.