Presentations

Abstract

Grid availability and therefore congestion of the grid is becoming more and more of a challenge when looking at policy targets for both onshore and offshore wind. Nowadays, wind farms frequently receive the request from its grid operator to shave electricity peak production in order to spare the grid. From the perspective of the asset owner this can be unfavorable since this limits its electricity production and diminishes potential green electricity which is very much needed to reach climate targets. One or more Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can provide additional availability to produce and collect green electricity while the grid is congested. Moreover, the combination with a wind farm improves the business case for BESS developers . When charging directly from the locally produced wind power, high grid transportation fees for offtaking power are prevented. However, co-locating one or more BESS to an existing wind farm is no mean feat as it will have technical, contractual and regulatory challenges. Ventolines has examined by request of Windpark Fryslan (www.windparkfryslan.nl/the-wind-farm) the impact and implications of sharing the grid connection with a large scale BESS. Windpark Fryslan is a 383 MW wind farm with 89 turbines in the IJsselmeer lake in the Netherlands and is operational since 2021. As a result, tools for decision-making with regard to further development of a BESS have been identified. Assuming a suitable location is available close to the wind farm and permitting requirements and procedures are clear - several technical and legal aspects will have to be taken into account (refer to 'Results' below). Although it is possible to add the BESS to the system when already operational, it is highly preferable to include a potential BESS during the development of the wind farm and grid connection.