Safe and flexible integration and monitoring of wind farms in a hybrid energy system

Thema:
Electrical integration of wind farms

Combining renewable energy sources with conversion and storage is a development at full speed in offshore wind. The aim is to have wind farms, solar farms, electrolysis units, and battery systems working together in one sustainable hybrid power plant, maximising the use of the wind farm while minimising the amount of energy required and system costs.

Monitoring and controlling energy flows

What makes this complex is that it involves different energy sources and storage types, which must be able to provide energy at any time. This requires the ability to accurately monitor and control the energy flows between these sources, meaning all cables and other components must be optimally coordinated. In addition, our cybersecurity experts will need to ensure that the networks are extremely well protected against external attacks.

Smoothing peaks

Hybrid power plants play an important role in smoothing out supply peaks. Overproduction of wind energy can cause congestion in the grid. When this is the case, it makes sense to convert surplus electricity into hydrogen through electrolysis and to bring it ashore for direct use or storage. Another possibility is to store electricity in battery systems and to discharge the stored energy when there is little wind.

Accurately aligning supply and demand

To accurately align supply and demand, TNO has developed an Energy Management System (pdf) (EMS) to regulate this type of hybrid energy system. This system enables the precise alignment with market demand, thereby also ensuring the electricity grid is optimally utilised. EMS integrates wind and solar energy sources, an electrolyser for the production of green hydrogen, a battery, and a heat-conversion system for planning and monitoring, using simulation and control models to optimally combine all these elements. It is a unique tool for designers, developers, operators, and network managers.

Many advantages

There are many advantages to align renewable energy sources with conversion and storage. Total energy production increases because overcapacity can be stored. The flexibility of the system allows energy to be stored in batteries when the price is low and used when it is high. EMS can accurately predict the amount of energy generated per hour, resulting in highly efficient production.

The TNO and Wageningen Research SWITCH Lab is a testing station in which we work on innovations in this field, testing innovations on a small scale before applying them on a larger scale. Industrial parties can have their configurations tested in practice at the lab, and develop control strategies for them.

The EU’s MAGPIE (‘sMArt Green Ports as Integrated Efficient multimodal hubs’) project is about creating green ports that use a sustainable energy supply and transport. In this consortium made up of dozens of market and knowledge parties, TNO is contributing to the demonstration of the application of batteries in the port of Rotterdam.

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11 resultaten, getoond 6 t/m 10

Energy islands for conversion, transport, and storage

Informatietype:
Article

Part of the future of wind energy are energy hubs at sea. TNO researches generation, storage and distribution of energy between countries.

Required infrastructure to integrate offshore wind into the energy system

Informatietype:
Article

The strong growth of wind at sea means that more and more wind energy has to be fed into the energy system. TNO is investigating what infrastructure is needed for this.

Maximising the value of wind energy in the future energy mix

Informatietype:
Article

The playing field for wind energy is about to change. TNO investigates how the value of wind energy can be maximised.

Wind energy system integration

Informatietype:
Article

TNO researches the system integration of wind energy. How do you transport and convert wind energy and how do you store it?

Cooperation North Sea countries accelerates energy transition in the North Sea

Informatietype:
News
6 September 2021

The North Sea must become the driving force behind the European energy transition and an example to the rest of the world. There are numerous opportunities for smart combinations and repurposing of offshore energy systems, such as with hydrogen production or with wind energy. Together with the British research organisation Net Zero Technology Center, TNO has taken the initiative to launch One North Sea, an international collaboration platform for the countries bordering the North Sea.