Alongside a medium-voltage solution including battery inverters, SMA delivered innovative grid-forming solutions for the flagship project that will help facilitate the seamless integration and safeguard the stability of renewable energy into the Scottish power grid.
The Blackhillock battery storage system was constructed by Wärtsilä for the operator Zenobē and is launching in two phases. Phase 1 comprises of 200MW, followed by a further 100MW in 2026, totalling 300MW/600MWh.
“With our innovative energy storage solutions, we are setting new standards and laying the foundation for a clean and sustainable energy future,” said Florian Bechtold, Executive Vice President of Large-Scale and Project Solutions at SMA. Our grid-forming battery inverters ensure the provision of short-circuit level and inertia, therefore safeguarding grid stability. We deeply appreciate the collaboration and shared vision of our trusted partners Zenobē and Wärtsilä.”
The SMA Grid Forming solution will provide a stability service consisting of 116MVA of short circuit level contribution and 370MWs of inertia. This meets the challenge of the growing number of renewable power plants and the decommissioning of conventional power plants. SMA also supplied critical components for the project, including 62 medium-voltage power stations equipped with Sunny Central Storage battery inverters.
Zenobē
The large-scale storage system is part of the UK’s Pathfinder program.
The plant was designed with the help of SMA to be meticulously optimized to deliver the best balance of performance and cost and has successfully completed the first of its kind compliance process for the new Great Britain grid connection requirements (grid code 0137), including grid forming requirements. This solution, integrating hardware, software, and engineering services has successfully demonstrated that it fulfils all the specifications of the British grid operator National Energy System Operator (NESO).
Blackhillock is currently Europe’s largest transmission-grid-connected battery storage system. By facilitating greater integration of wind energy into the power grid, the project is expected to save around 2.3 million tons of CO₂ emissions over the next 15 years.
Through efficient storage and demand-based redistribution of excess renewable energy, energy waste and dependence on fossil fuels will be reduced. The large-scale storage system is part of the UK’s Pathfinder program, which aims to address stability issues in the transmission grid. SMA, Zenobē and Wärtsilä will also work together in 2025 to implement the Kilmarnock storage project as part of the Pathfinder program. (hcn)
In addition to the medium-voltage solution including battery inverters, SMA has delivered innovative grid-forming solutions to the flagship project. These enable the seamless integration of renewable energy into the Scottish power grid and ensure its stability.
The Blackhillock battery storage system was built by Wärtsilä for the operator Zenobē and is launching in two phases. Phase 1 comprises of 200MW, followed by a further 100MW in 2026, making a total of 300MW/600MWh.
“With our innovative energy storage solutions, we are setting new standards and laying the foundation for a clean and sustainable energy future,” said Florian Bechtold, Executive Vice President of Large-Scale and Project Solutions at SMA. Our grid-forming battery inverters ensure the provision of short-circuit level and inertia, therefore safeguarding grid stability. We deeply appreciate the collaboration and shared vision of our trusted partners Zenobē and Wärtsilä.”
The SMA Grid Forming solution will provide a stability service consisting of 116MVA of short circuit level contribution and 370MWs of inertia. This meets the challenge of the growing number of renewable power plants and the decommissioning of conventional power plants. SMA also supplied critical components for the project, including 62 medium-voltage power stations equipped with Sunny Central Storage battery inverters.
Zenobē
The large-scale storage system is part of the UK’s Pathfinder program.
The plant was designed with the help of SMA to be meticulously optimized to deliver the best balance of performance and cost and has successfully completed the first of its kind compliance process for the new Great Britain grid connection requirements (grid code 0137), including grid forming requirements. This solution, integrating hardware, software, and engineering services has successfully demonstrated that it fulfils all the specifications of the British grid operator National Energy System Operator (NESO).
Blackhillock is currently Europe’s largest transmission-grid-connected battery storage system. By facilitating greater integration of wind energy into the power grid, the project is expected to save around 2.3 million tons of CO₂ emissions over the next 15 years.
Through efficient storage and demand-based redistribution of excess renewable energy, energy waste and dependence on fossil fuels will be reduced. The large-scale storage system is part of the UK’s Pathfinder program, which aims to address stability issues in the transmission grid. SMA, Zenobē and Wärtsilä will also work together in 2025 to implement the Kilmarnock storage project as part of the Pathfinder program. (hcn)
EWS is focusing on “Northern Europe”. What does that mean and how does EWS see the market development in the focus markets?
Jan Paul Dahm: In addition to Germany, we focus on the Netherlands and Scandinavia, but of course we also supply customers in Belgium, Austria, etc. Unfortunately, all Northern European countries are currently experiencing a decline in demand, after PV components were in short supply everywhere in the last two years and production capacities were massively expanded.
We believe that the main reasons for the current reluctance are high interest rates, lower electricity prices and, unfortunately, intransparent policies. The fact that politicians do not understand the uncertainty they are creating with their reluctance to take necessary decisions and measures seems to be a cross-border problem.
As a result, many warehouses in all parts of the retail chain are still well stocked and prices are continuing to spiral downwards, even for mainstream products from well-known manufacturers.
Can you see any light in the darkness?
Yes, prices for full black and glass/glass modules, for example, are rising again, and for all other product groups the downward trend is at least slowing down noticeably.
Another very positive “cross-border trend” is the self-consumption of the electricity produced to optimise the economic efficiency of the systems. This makes the industry less dependent on subsidies and political sentiment.
It also raises awareness of issues such as sector coupling, electricity storage or time-varying electricity tariffs. Although this means that systems require more explanation to the end customer, it has great potential in terms of both cost-effectiveness and CO2 savings.
What role do the neighbouring countries play for EWS as a German distributor?
A big one! Most of the “foreign markets” are much closer to our location on the Danish border than they are to Bavaria, which of course gives us logistical advantages. We have invested a lot, not only in native-speaking customer advisors and customer service, but also, for example, in five more language versions of our software solutions.
One exciting thing that all these PV markets have in common is that battery storage, at least in the residential sector, is just being discovered. In Germany, we are used to virtually every rooftop system being offered with a battery, and EWS alone has sold over 100,000 systems. We now want to share our experience with our trading partners in neighbouring countries.
So you think there is a lot of catching up to do in terms of home storage know-how? On the part of customers or installers?
Both, I would say. The need for education and training is very high at the moment in all our overseas markets.
It’s not about how to mount or connect a battery storage system – that’s relatively simple compared to the rest of the PV system. But there is still a lot of uncertainty when it comes to selling to end customers or designing a storage system. Rules of thumb are not enough to make a PV storage system cost effective and attractive to the end customer.
What help is there for installers when it comes to storage?
There are training courses and seminars available from many more or less independent sources, as well as good video material on the subject. The difficulty is in distinguishing between promotional content and genuinely neutral, informative formats.
My tip would be to rely on offers and material from associations or distributors representing several brands. They are more interested in providing real information than in profiling individual products.
We also provide our clients with information material that they can attach to their offers or simply take with them to their customers. This gives them much more confidence in the conversation and makes them look more professional.
What role does software play?
As always, the most important tool is digital. Professional design software not only ensures that a storage system is compatible with the other components of the PV system, but also helps to select the right size of storage and, ideally, even the necessary accessories. We added this functionality to our PV design software many years ago and continue to lead the way.
What does your tool do that no other software can do?
Most “design tools” are nothing more than a simple rule of proportion that relates the size of the storage to the power of the PV system. But as you can imagine, it makes a big difference whether the system is on a private house or a commercial building, and whether it faces south, east or west. We have the great advantage of being able to implement the storage design into our existing PV design software.
As a result, we already have all the information about the PV system and its operator in the software and can match generation and consumption profiles in a full annual simulation. This allows us to predict exactly which size of storage will go through how many charging cycles per year.
EWS
The softwarte QuickCalc provides an electricity storage design based on generation and load profile and taking into account individual customer requirements.
The whole software is then structured in such a way that you can even use sliders to adjust the end customer’s ideas, for example in the direction of greater profitability or independence. Of course, this is much more persuasive in the sales process than a brochure. And by the way, like all our software solutions, QuickCalc is completely free for PV professionals!
How do storage manufacturers support installers?
Almost every manufacturer also offers information events, but as I said, these formats are rarely free of advertising. The quality of the content also varies greatly. For example, if a manufacturer is not sufficiently established in a country to take into account local characteristics and conditions. And in many cases you have to work with English information.
So should installers rely on products “made in Europe”?
That’s a very sensitive issue at the moment, but that’s not what I wanted to say. In fact, I don’t think it’s possible to reduce our dependence on Asian suppliers. Without the massive research and production capacity in China, for example, our European energy transition would be unthinkable.
In terms of service and training, well-established Asian manufacturers are not far behind their European competitors. But I have to admit that without experience it is difficult to distinguish reliable brands from the “mayflies”.
The best way to separate the wheat from the chaff among the many manufacturers is to look to those wholesalers who have a hard-earned reputation to lose. We are extremely selective when it comes to our suppliers, whether they are from Asia or Europe.
The interview was conducted by Hans-Christoph Neidlein
Montenegro has a variety of energy resources that include: hydropower, wind energy, solar radiation, biomass and coal reserves. In the total installed power production capacity, hydropower plants take a share of 66.05%, thermal power plant 21.08%, wind power plants 11.06% and solar power plants 1.81%. Our power system is characterized by coal generation, with TPP “Pljevlja” (225 MW) that provides baseline power generation and typically generates 42-55% of Montenegro’s gross energy production.
Already in 2021 Montenegro fulfilled national goal of 33% share of energy from renewable energy sources (RES) in gross final consumption, mainly due to the production in two large HPPs (HPP “Perućica” (307 MW) and HPP “Piva” (342 MW)). Two wind power plants (WPP “Krnovo” and WPP “Možura” (118 MW)) and six solar installations (2,319 MW) have been a part of the power generation mix since 2017 and 2019 respectively, but their contribution remains limited.
Distributed PV increasing – first solar park operating
Since about 75% of renewable energy generation in the total amount of electricity supplied by RES comes from hydro, there is a problem of overdependency on hydropower which varies dependent on the hydrological situation. The new Energy Community target for the share of RES in gross final energy consumption for Montenegro is 50% in 2030.
Montenegro has a great potential for using solar energy, i.e. the number of hours of insolation is over 2.000 h/year or 200 days/year for the greater part of the territory. In relation to the distributed solar generation and the “consumers-producers” concept, the increase in production from solar power plants is driven by the activities of state-owned energy company Eletroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG), which in 2021 launched the Solari 3,000+ and Solari 500+ projects. Projects envisaged subsidized installation of 3,000 solar systems at the rooftops of residential buildings and 500 solar systems at the rooftops of buildings owned by legal entities.
A total of 3,351 PV installations were put into operation, with an installed capacity of 33,913 MW. The implementation of the Solari 5000+ project is underway. So far, 1,260 PV rooftop systems were put into operation, with a total capacity of 9,445 MW. In addition, in December 2023, the first “ground mounted” SPP “Čevo” (3.25 MW) entered trial operation, followed by the issuance of a license to perform electricity production activities.
World Bank Group
Montenegro has a very high photovoltaic power potential.
Despite this growing trend in the valorization of solar radiation energy through the construction of low-power facilities, the construction of a large production capacity is still lacking. In that part, the construction of the solar park “Briska Gora” (250 MW) is planned and in the pipeline are couple of solar projects mainly in the area of Nikšić. Planned large-scale energy storage projects, if strategically implemented, can contribute to energy security and make solar energy a backbone of Montenegro’s grid.
While the shift towards solar is promising, there are challenges Montenegro must address. Integrating decentralized, renewable energy sources like solar requires significant upgrades to energy grid, originally designed for centralized power sources. The amortization rate of the energy infrastructure in Montenegro is high and its revitalization and technological modernization is needed. Here, energy storage becomes essential.
Battery energy storage project approved
Building on this momentum, EPCG is now taking critical step with the recent approval of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project. The next step is the announcement of a Public Call for the preparation of a Feasibility Study and Conceptual Solution. This initiative aims to install lithium-ion battery storage at key locations across Montenegro nearby large power plants for storing electricity based on lithium-ion batteries.
This is relevant since the generation profile of intermittent renewables would not always match demand profiles, leading to temporal mismatching of supply and demand of electricity and heavy demand on interconnection. The goal is to use the available network infrastructure to connect to the transmission network. By enabling the storage of surplus energy from renewable sources, BESS will improve power system flexibility and balancing, support the energy exchange and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Important regulatory support and colllaboration with regional partners
For solar energy to truly take hold, Montenegro needs continued regulatory support. Simplified processes for installing and connecting solar panels, as well as accessible financing options for both solar and storage solutions, are needed. The support and incentive programs for energy generation from renewable sources for own use (the Law on RES adopted in August 2024) in Montenegro should spur demand for green technologies and services.
Also, by incentivizing private adoption of smaller battery storage systems, the pressure on the main grid can be alleviated, especially in remote areas. Collaboration with regional partners in the Balkans and CEE region can also bolster Montenegro’s efforts, as cross-border energy exchanges create additional avenues for balancing supply and demand. In this way, Montenegro will also improve alignment with the EU Energy Policy, implement the Electricity Integration Package and create a functional energy market ready for integration into the European single market. (Ivana Vojinović/hcn)
About the author
Ivana Vojinović is a leading expert in the field of environment, climate change and EU integration in Montenegro and was one of the panelists of CISOLAR 2024 in Bucharest. Out of the 20 years of professional experience, Mrs Vojinovic spent 10 years in the Government of Montenegro on the position of a Deputy Minister/General Director for environment and climate change. Since Montenegro opened negotiations with the EU, Government appointed her for conduction of Montenegro’s negotiation process with the EU in Chapter 27-Environment and Climate Change. Currently she is a Director of the Centre for Climate Change, Natural Resources and Energy of University of Donja Gorica. Ivana Vojinović holds PhD degree in the area of environmental economy and EU integration and possess 13 years long teaching experience at the University of Donja Gorica.
In 2023, many countries have tried to drive forward the energy transition and electrification faster than before – also to become less dependent on imported fossil fuels. However, despite increased electricity generation from renewable energies, there have been and will continue to be bottlenecks in the grids as the overall demand for electricity increases.
Looking ahead to 2024, these developments are likely to continue: The drive for sustainability, energy security and cost savings remains key to innovation in the building sector.
1. Promote own power generation
In the EU, solar panels will be mandatory for new public buildings from 2028 and for all other new buildings from 2030. For existing buildings, public buildings are to be “progressively” equipped with solar panels from 2027 “where technically, economically and functionally feasible”. This alone should be reason enough for building owners to consider the potential for renewable energy generation in their properties. Beyond this, however, there also needs to be a real paradigm shift when it comes to the role of buildings in energy supply. Traditionally, they have been seen purely as consumers that draw their energy from a central grid. In order to support the energy transition, buildings must take on additional functions. They must be able to generate, store and distribute energy. This also includes the integration of powerful charging stations to promote electromobility. At the same time, heating with heat pumps is increasingly becoming the standard, which further increases the demand for electricity. Increased electrification must be offset by in-house generation, otherwise building operators may no longer be able to cover their electricity requirements in full or only at immense cost.
The installation of energy management systems for buildings and battery storage systems will significantly optimize the use of renewable energies in the coming years, as the energy generated can be used at all times and is not only available at the time of generation.
2. Renovation despite a lack of skilled workers
75 percent of buildings in the EU waste energy, with older buildings in particular being less efficient than new ones. Over 220 million buildings in Europe were built before 2001. Renovation will therefore continue to be a key issue in the European building sector in 2024. Improving building insulation and heating systems will be just as important as investing in technologies such as renewable energy generation and energy management software.
Renovation and retrofitting are crucial factors in the energy transition, but there are also problems in this area: There is a lack of qualified workers who can install heat pumps, solar panels or insulation. An estimated one million people would have to be retrained to meet the requirements of solar energy alone. Despite corresponding programs and subsidies from the EU and the member states, it will not be possible to eliminate the shortage of skilled workers in the short term. One solution for installers that can be implemented quickly is the use of pre-wired components and package solutions, for example, which save working time and increase operational efficiency.
3. Create the conditions for electric fleets
From 2035, new vehicles with combustion engines will no longer be allowed to be sold in the EU. With this date in mind, companies need to develop strategies for the electrification of their fleets today. At the same time, this also means that they need to equip their sites for on-site charging. For large fleets in particular, companies will not be able to rely solely on the supply from the grid. Buildings that have to supply many electric cars at the same time require powerful energy management systems and options for intermediate storage. Ideally, they will generate (some of) the energy for their vehicles themselves on site.
4. Promote a circular economy
Renewable energies are not finite, but the raw materials needed to build solar systems, electric cars, wind turbines, etc. are. There are already bottlenecks in the industry today due to a lack of resources. The recycling rate must be drastically increased in order to guarantee energy security in the future. The building sector must also find new ways and means of adapting to this. In addition to the increased use of recycled building materials, old e-car batteries can also be given a second life as energy storage for buildings. (KZ/hcn).
Together with partners, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA) have developed a scalable production process for solid-state batteries. The scientists have thus closed a gap that still exists in the market launch of such solid-state batteries. This is important for the energy transition. After all, solid-state batteries have several advantages over lithium-ion batteries. For example, they are not flammable because they do not have a liquid electrolyte. Solid-state batteries are also lighter, which results in a higher energy density.
However, solid-state batteries with a ceramic electrolyte layer have so far only been produced on a laboratory scale. With the current development, the researchers at Fraunhofer IPA have created the basis for the further development of solid-state lithium-ion batteries on an industrial scale. “We have been able to raise the production of solid-state batteries from laboratory scale to an industry-oriented, scalable level,” emphasises Jonas Heldt, scientist at Fraunhofer IPA.
Sounding out the situation on the raw materials market
To this end, the analysts from machine manufacturer Dr Fritsch GmbH, as a project partner, first analysed the situation regarding the required raw materials. In particular, the focus was on the solid electrolyte lithium aluminium titanium phosphate (LATP). This is because it has not yet been used industrially and is therefore not produced in large quantities. The initial question was therefore: where can the necessary raw materials be obtained and how do they have to be processed? “The challenge here is not the availability of the individual raw materials per se, but the still relatively small number of manufacturers who produce the solid-state electrolyte LATP from them,” says Elke Ade, Head of the Metal Powder Division at Dr Fritsch. “However, experience shows that this will grow rapidly in line with demand for the end product.”
Making the process scalable
However, it is not just a secure supply of raw materials that is needed if the solid-state batteries are to reach the market, but also a production process that is close to industrial scale. It must be possible to scale this up to a higher throughput. Normally, foils are coated during production so that they serve as an anode, cathode and neutral intermediate layer. These are then assembled to form the actual battery.
Intermediate layers reduce mechanical stresses
However, ceramics are used for solid-state batteries. Various powders are the starting materials here. To bring this into a solid form, it must be sintered. This means that it is heated under pressure.
The researchers at Fraunhofer IPA have investigated various processes for this purpose. The most promising was to stack the powders dry in a mould. In addition to cathode, anode and electrolyte layers, intermediate layers are also added to prevent the electrolyte content from increasing too abruptly. These gradual transitions reduce mechanical stresses and improve contact resistances in the sintered battery.
Material is pressed together
The filled mould is then placed in a sintering press. The materials are pressed together with a stamp under high pressure and comparatively low temperatures. This only takes a few minutes and is extremely fast compared to conventional sintering processes. These take several hours. “Using this process, several graded layers of cathode and separator can be produced in a single manufacturing step, which significantly reduces the amount of work involved and allows subsequent scaling up to larger throughputs,” explains Jonas Heldt. This would lay the foundation for the industrial production of solid-state batteries. (su/mfo)
