An E-STOR system was implemented at the site, capable of a combined energy storage capacity of 720 kWh, with the ability to deliver 1.2MW in power. The system provides reactive power to the site and frequency response services to the grid, helping to make it more attractive to aggregators, and therefore, more profitable for Umicore. The E-STOR was connected to a DERMS (Distributed Energy Resources Management System) platform, alongside a load bank and generator, to manage the power and deliver it to the assets on site when it was needed.
The platform, operated by aggregator Kiwi Power, optimises the assets in unison to capitalise on their differing performance characteristics and maximise value. Together the assets will provide a frequency response service to Elia, the Belgium system operator.
The E-STOR system added to the sustainability aspect of the project. The system reuses Renault batteries which previously powered Kangoo vehicles in France. Their second life as part of a stationary energy storage system is expected to provide around seven more years of useful life when the value of the embedded resources can be utilised prior to disassembly and recycling.
Other benefits of the E-STOR are that the systems are modular and scalable in design, offering a range of configurations suitable for the varied requirements of customers like Umicore. The base module provides 300kW and 360kWh and this configuration can be extended to provide increased power or energy with the potential to vary the power:energy ratio, which is what CE demonstrated at the Umicore site.
