One of Europe's largest battery energy storage systems will be built in Olkiluoto
The 90-megawatt battery energy storage system supports the stability of Finland's energy network and will help the country meet its climate goals.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids and Teollisuuden Voima (TVO) have signed a contract about delivering one of Europe's largest battery energy storage systems to the island of Olkiluoto.
The 90-megawatt system will support the entire energy network in a potential production disturbance of the OL3 plant unit, thus minimizing the effect of power fluctuations on the grid. The turnkey solution acts as a fast-start backup power source.
"By 2050, electricity will be the backbone of the entire energy system. Together with TVO, we are enabling the people of Finland to move towards a carbon neutral future. The energy revolution requires pioneering technologies and new intelligent solutions to ensure system flexibility and reliability. It is also vital for business activities and competitiveness that the future of our electricity system is stable and reliable. Battery energy storage of this scale and the growth in low-emission electricity production represent significant steps for the climate and contribute to Finland's goal of carbon neutrality in 2035", said Matti Vaattovaara, Country Managing Director of Hitachi ABB Power Grids' business in Finland.
TVO is building a third nuclear power plant unit on the island of Olkiluoto. Once commissioned, about 30 percent of Finland's electricity is expected to come from the island and support the transition of Finland's electricity production towards carbon neutrality.
“TVO's contribution to national electricity production is growing, and the soon-to-be completed Olkiluoto 3 plant unit is a critical part of this effort. With this investment in battery energy storage, we are helping to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in Finland. The battery energy storage is used as backup power in the event of a disturbance in production at the nuclear power plant, until a replacing production method is generating electricity. In this way, we ensure the reliable operation of the grid even in a situation in which a large amount of electricity would otherwise fall out of the grid capacity”, says Sami Jakonen, TVO's Technical Director.
The battery energy storage system will be commissioned in 2022.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids has delivered more than 600 MW of battery energy storage systems and the intelligent automation solutions supporting them worldwide. The company has more than 30 years of experience in delivering similar solutions to industrial and commercial sites, to utilities for the efficient management of decentralized renewable production, and to islands and remote regions that invest in energy self-sufficiency. The agreement with TVO includes an e-mesh™ PowerStore™ energy storage solution as well as an intelligent digital e-mesh™ SCADA energy man-agement system, substation expansion, and maintenance support.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids is a global technology leader with a combined heritage of almost 250 years, employing around 36,000 people in 90 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, the business serves utility, industry and infrastructure customers across the value chain, and emerging areas like sustainable mobility, smart cities, energy storage and data centers. With a proven track record, global footprint and unparalleled installed base, Hitachi ABB Power Grids balances social, environmental and economic values. It is committed to powering good for a sustainable energy future, with pioneering and digital technologies, as the partner of choice for enabling a stronger, smarter and greener grid. https://www.hitachiabb-powergrids.com
Teollisuuden Voima Oyj has produced electricity for its shareholders, Finnish industrial and energy companies, safely and reliably for 40 years. Nuclear electricity generated at TVO's Olkiluoto plant covers approximately one sixth, increasing to nearly one third once Olkiluoto 3 is completed, of the electricity consumption in Finland. Climate-friendly nuclear electricity not only benefits society but also reduces the environmental impact of energy production. Moreover, the world's first final disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel is under construction in Olkiluoto.