Elia uses battery-powered virtual power plant for grid balancing

Elia has announced use of battery technology from Smart E-Grid, developed by renewable tech developer Opteco, to connect consumers’ energy in what they tout as one of the largest battery-powered virtual power plants (VPPs).

The TSO has stated how the VPP enables over 2000 families in Flanders to help maintain the balance in the Belgian electricity grid through their home battery.

The single VPP project utilises the charging pattern of home batteries to maximise generated solar energy and offer it on Elia’s balancing market, thereby enabling a stable electricity grid.

“We cannot control the sun. It either shines or it does not. But if we combine and manage all existing solar panel installations and battery systems, we can create a powerful, flexible solar power plant that helps in the balancing of the grid,” stated Ben Kunnen, CEO of Opteco.

“This is a first step towards a smart energy community, ‘Smart-E-Grid’, within which consumers can call on energy services thanks to smart devices within the energy system,”. The aim is to have more than 3000 smart home batteries in the Smart-E-Grid community by the end of the year. It is the first time in Belgium that such a thing has happened.”

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Elia has also stated how it is important – through such a VPP – that everybody can contribute to the system.

“Flexibility markets have been popular with large energy consumers (such as industry or large refrigeration installations) for nearly a decade. But if we want to integrate more renewable energy into the system, we will also have to integrate more flexibility into it and quickly increase the storage level. This means using battery storage in the home, in the car and at work to ensure that precious green electrons are used most effectively,” explained David Zenner, head of consumer centricity of Elia.

According to Elia, the project has resulted in 6MW being available by the end of the year to help maintain balance in the grid. Every day, Elia needs to have 26MW of this type of fast flexibility available locally. Thus, these batteries represent more than 15% of Belgium’s needs.

In order to participate, consumers must have a home battery and a smart meter. The TSO has stated that consumers notice virtually nothing of their participation and that they receive a remuneration depending on the market prices in the balancing market.