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The smarter E AWARD 2025: Energy transition pioneers shortlisted

March 21, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The generation of electricity from solar and wind power continues to grow rapidly, and production costs are already extremely low. When it comes to ensuring a comprehensive, safe and renewable 24/7 energy supply, the key challenges lie in the intelligent integration of renewable electricity into the energy system using digitalization and flexibilization solutions. This also includes the massive expansion of battery and energy storage solutions. The mobility sector has a vital role to play in global decarbonization. And above all else, the energy transition is a global task. The five categories recognized within The smarter E AWARD mirror this complex situation.

Modules for new surfaces and integration

The finalists in the Photovoltaics category thoroughly reflect current trends and challenges. Conventional PV modules may have become far more powerful and efficient in recent years, but available space remains a limiting factor when it comes to expanding photovoltaics. Technical developments are therefore trending towards innovations that make previously unused surfaces accessible for PV systems, such as particularly lightweight PV modules or PV modules with very high bifaciality that are suitable for vertical installations. Vertical installations are interesting options, both in an agricultural context and for infrastructure (such as noise barriers). Current trends in the inverter field are aimed at integrating more grid support and safety features, particularly in the commerce and industry sectors as well as for ground- mounted PV systems. Good examples of this include a power supply with phase accuracy, the option to connect to weak grid nodes, grid-forming functionality and enhanced monitoring of cooling or insulation resistance.

Finalists in the Photovoltaics category

7Secondsolar (South Africa) with its AUTOPV planning software solution

Aevy (Norway) with its Aevy asset management platform

Aiko Energy (China) with its ABC INFINITE PV module

Anhui Huasun Energy (China) with its Kunlun Series Ultra-high Bifaciality HJT solar module

LONGi Solar Technology (China) with its Hi-MO X10 module

MBJ Solutions (Germany) with its MBJ Sunlike Lab solar simulator

Seaward Electronic (UK) with its PV:1525-IV testing device

Sungrow Power Supply (China) with its SG350HX-20 string inverter

Sunmaxx PVT (Germany) with its Sunmaxx PX-1 combination module

Weidmüller Interface (Germany) with its PV Inline lightning and overvoltage protection

Current trends in storage technology

This year’s submissions in the Energy Storage category show that many manufacturers have taken installation challenges into account. In the residential storage sector, there is a trend towards systems that can be stacked in a modular fashion and that, therefore can connect with each other automatically. The number of devices suitable for outdoor use is also increasing. Manufacturers are increasingly commissioning industrial and large-scale storage systems and delivering them ready for installation. The trend in cell chemistry is moving strongly towards iron phosphate. Interconnection effort and costs are reduced by individual cells that are becoming increasingly larger. The market for 4h storage is becoming more significant for battery containers, and many containers have a maximum charge/discharge rate of 0.25C. Many systems use artificial intelligence for fault detection and energy management. SiC-based power electronics are increasingly being used to increase efficiency and reduce volume. System safety remains a focus and is being improved by the increased use of arc detection and multi-level safety concepts at the various system levels.

ees Europe 2025: storage industry meets battery research

Finalists in the Energy Storage category

CMBlu Energy (Germany) with its Organic SolidFlow Battery storage system

EcoFlow (China) with its PowerOcean DC Fit residential storage system

EVE Energy (China) with its Mr. Big battery cell

Huawei Technologies (China) with its ESS LUNA2000-215-2S10 storage system

Hydrostor (Canada) with its A-Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) system

p&e power&energy (Germany) with its Scalable Cell Level Power Electronics Platform inverter system

SAMSUNG SDI (South Korea) with its U8A1 UPS solution

SOL Research (Germany) with its Powerstation 2.500

Sungrow Power Supply (China) with its PowerTitan 2.0 large-scale storage system

Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology (China) with its Power 6.25 MWh 4h BESS battery container

Products and solutions for electromobility

The large number of submissions in the E-Mobility category relating to solar carport solutions is particularly striking. This is a consequence of changes in the law regarding carports for large parking lots. The industry is responding with a comprehensive offering. High-current, high-voltage charging, especially in connection with the new MCS charging standard, is once again proving to be a driver of innovation. Special electrical safety components are now being developed specifically for the new requirements. Another trend is the use of PV on commercial vehicles that allows for the surface of a trailer to be utilized for additional power generation.

The smarter E Europe: Save billions with bidirectional charging

Finalists in the E-Mobility category

Cable-Sherpa (Austria) with its Cable-Sherpa cable management

DEHN (Germany) with its DEHNguard M DC ACI 1250 FM power protection switch

Etecnic (Spain) with its EVcharge Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform

Friedrich (Germany) with its URBANROOF parking lot canopy

GoodWe (China) with its Vela Series Residential Solar Carport

Hive Power (Switzerland) with its Hive Power FLEXO Smart Charge SaaS solution

SAMSUNG SDI (South Korea) with its No Thermal Propagation Technology battery concept

Schaltbau (Germany) with its C330 high-power DC contactor

Shenzhen Kehua Hengsheng Technology (China) with its EV3102-040K-HR-UC SiC charging module

OPES Solar Mobility (Germany) with its O.Motion matrix solar module series

Digital integration is key

The products and solutions submitted in the Smart Integrated Energy category vividly illustrate the intricacy and complexity of one of the key challenges facing the transition to tomorrow’s climate-neutral energy world. For the energy transition to be a success, electricity from renewable sources must be integrated into the energy system in a comprehensive and smart way, in more and more locations and at all grid levels.

The smarter E 2025: Energy management systems a „must have“

Finalists in the Smart Integrated Energy category

FENECON (Germany) with its FEMS FENECON energy management system

meteocontrol (Germany) with its mc Assetpilot

fleXality (Germany) with its AI-based fEnOMS software solution

Sungrow Power Supply (China) with its Stem Cell Grid Technology grid-forming inverter technology

Toscano (Spain) with its COMBI-PRO-MAX switching solution

Utiligize (Denmark) with its integrated Forecast & Investment platform

Zählerfreunde (Germany) with its white label energy management SaaS solution for utilities

The energy transition is being addressed worldwide

The finalists in the Outstanding Projects category provide excellent examples of how the energy transition, humanity’s major challenge, is being tackled across the globe. The spectrum ranges from large-scale green hydrogen production and large storage projects that ensure a steady supply of ever greener electricity, to the use of public institutions to generate solar power and projects providing cooling energy for food.

Finalists in the Outstanding Projects category

Beijing HyperStrong Technology (China) with its Beijing Siyuanqiao Integrated Charging Plus Storage Station Project

Beijing HyperStrongTechnology (China) with its 250 MW/1,000 MWh energy storage project in Santanghu

CyberGrid (Austria) with its Theiß Hybrid Storage System

Electricity Authority of Cyprus (Cyprus) with its installation of PV systems in 405 public schools

GIZ Indonesia (Indonesia) with its off-grid Solar Ice Maker project for fishing communities

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology – KIT (Germany) with its BiFlow hybrid storage system project

LONGi Solar Technology (China) with its 3000 Nm³/h Electrolyzer in Hydrogen-Rich Blast Furnace Smelting project

Phaesun (Germany) with its BeCool: Clean Cooling for Markets in Kenya project

Sungrow Hydrogen (China) with its Low Carbon Institute Green Hydrogen Demonstration Project

Xiamen Ampace Technology (China) with its energy storage project integrated into a high-voltage transformer station in Chile

The smarter E

Accelerating Integrated Energy Solutions – that is the goal of The smarter E, the world’s leading alliance of exhibitions for the energy industry. The aim is to create a future-oriented energy world by shining a spotlight on renewable energies, decentralization and digitalization as well as cross-industry solutions from the electricity, heat and transport sectors for a sustainable 24/7 energy supply. This global event series unites four exhibition brands: Intersolar, ees, Power2Drive and EM-Power. They all serve as platforms for presenting innovations that help move the energy industry forward. (hcn)

Further information on The smarter E can be found at: www.thesmartere.com

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Solar Energy

Market for hybrid power plants in Europe still in the starting blocks

March 20, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Combining solar and wind parks with large battery storage systems at a single location, known as co-location, offers many advantages. For example, the risks for the operators of the renewable energy generation plants are reduced by diversifying revenues, protecting against price cannibalization and shifting generation or feed-in to the evening hours. The economic efficiency of battery storage can be increased by cost savings due to a common grid connection point and a faster grid connection. Advantages for the power supply arise from fewer grid bottlenecks, avoided curtailment of plants and better utilization of scarce grid resources.

So far only small market share for hybrid systems

However, the market for renewable co-location projects in Europe is only just beginning. According to Aurora Energy Research, solar and wind farms with an installed capacity of almost 1.2 gigawatts (GW) were in operation across Europe in 2023, combined with large-scale battery storage. PV plus battery storage was the frontrunner here with 724 megawatts (MW), while onshore wind power plus battery storage was at 475 MW. According to SolarPower Europe, of the 0.8 GW of large-scale battery storage systems with a capacity of 1.1 gigawatt-hours (GWh) installed in Germany between 2021 and 2023, 11 percent were combined with renewable energy plants, primarily solar parks. In the UK, 12 percent of wind and solar farms were combined with battery storage or electrolysers, according to an April 2024 report by industry association Renewable UK.

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However, experts and industry representatives are seeing a significant increase in demand for large-scale battery storage and co-location projects. In Germany, project developers have currently submitted grid connection requests for 161 GW of battery storage capacity, which is a hundred times more than the 1.6 GW currently installed. SolarPower Europe also predicts strong growth in large-scale battery storage in its “European Market Outlook for Battery Storage 2024-2028”. According to a medium scenario, the total installed battery storage capacity is expected to climb to 78 GWh, double the 2023 figure (35.8 GWh).

Growing interest in co-location projects

In a “high scenario”, installed battery capacity in Europe is expected to grow to 135 GWh by 2028. Large batteries, especially grid storage (so-called utility-scale storage), will dominate. Their share of newly installed capacity is expected to rise to 45% by 2028, more than doubling from 2023 (21 percent). As a result, interest in co-location projects is also growing, according to analysts such as Jannik Carl and Eva Zimmermann from Aurora Energy Research. Almost all large-scale PV projects are now combined with battery storage, says Stefan Müller, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the EPC Enerparc.

Co-located solar park for a resilient grid completed in Sweden

Valerii Lazarev, Projects Bankability Manager at WElink Energy, sees negative electricity prices (at peak times), bottlenecks and high costs for grid access as important drivers for co-location projects. EPCs could benefit from the hybridization of existing solar projects by flattening the production curve and delivering energy on demand and thus at higher prices. And this with comparatively low investment costs because there is no need to set up a new, expensive grid connection.

Largest hybrid plant in Portugal

The international developer, based in Ireland, is currently in the process of expanding a 219 MW solar park in Vaquieros (southern Portugal), which was commissioned at the end of 2021, in several phases into a co-location facility with a capacity of over 1 terawatt-hour, according to Lazarev. Initially, the existing 219 MW of PV capacity will be increased by a further 50 MW, followed by the construction of a 165 MW wind farm and then a 100 MW/400 MWh battery storage facility. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025 and should be completed by the end of 2027.

How to combine agri-PV with wind power and storage?

Europe’s largest co-location power plant is currently being built by the Spanish energy producer Endesa, also in Portugal (Pego, province of Santarém). The plan is to combine a 365 MW PV plant, a wind farm with 264 MW and a 168 MW battery storage facility. In addition, a 500-kilowatt (kW) electrolyzer will be installed to produce green hydrogen using surplus energy that the battery storage system cannot absorb.

Further cost decline an important driver

The continued decline in costs, particularly for photovoltaics and battery storage, is also an important driver for more co-location projects. According to a study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in July 2024, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of solar parks in Germany is between 4.1 and 6.9 euro cents/kWh. When combining ground-mounted PV systems and battery storage, the LCOE is 6.0 to 10.8 cents/KWh.

Large battery storage systems in Europe are all the rage

Should battery prices fall to the predicted levels of 180 to 700 euros/KWh by 2045, the ISE even expects production costs for ground-mounted PV battery systems to be between 3.1 and 5.0 cents. By comparison, the production costs for fossil fuel power plants are significantly higher today: brown coal power plants cost 15.1 to 25.7 cents, hard coal power plants 17.3 to 29.3 cents, combined cycle power plants 10.9 to 18.1 cents and flexible gas power plants 15.4 to 32.6 cents per kilowatt hour. Nuclear power plants are between 13.6 and 49.0 cents/kWh.

Reduce construction and operation costs by 50 %

According to Aurora Energy Research, the actual increases in profitability (IRRs) that can currently be achieved by combining a solar power plant with a battery storage system in key European markets are in the range of one to just over two percent. The IRRs of individual solar parks were compared with those that are combined with a battery storage system.

Podcast: Prospects and pitfalls for investments in solar and large battery projects

RenewableUK points out the high potential cost advantages of co-location projects if regulatory barriers are removed and approvals are simplified. Combining PV projects with battery storage at the same grid connection point could reduce construction and operating costs by 50 percent. In addition, a more flexible energy system with the integration of storage in the UK would save 16.7 billion pounds (19.8 billion euros) in electricity system costs annually by 2050, which would also benefit electricity customers.

Complexity and regulation as obstacles

There are various reasons why co-location projects are often unable to fully exploit their potential cost advantages in practice and why the number of projects implemented is only gradually picking up speed. “In addition to regulatory issues, this combination of technologies is extremely complex in terms of structure and commercialization. Business models must be considered individually and, depending on local parameters, a single project can often be more attractive than a co-location project,” says Philipp Kraemer, Director Strategic Growth & Digitization at CCE.

Solar Investors Guide: Storage systems to revolutionize the grid

In Germany, for example, the so-called exclusivity principle of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) has so far slowed down the economic viability of solar and wind farms combined with battery storage. It states that EEG-subsidized plants may only be charged with green electricity and not with gray electricity (from the grid) throughout the year, otherwise the EEG plant status or the subsidy will be lost. This severely limits a profitable, flexible operation of the storage system in co-location with a solar or wind farm for shifting the feed-in to high-price hours and for providing balancing energy (during which grid electricity is also charged).

UK, Ireland and Italy already further ahead

According to the solar package I, it should be possible to change the operating mode every two months from June 2025, and to charge the storage system from the grid and the renewable energy system in parallel from June 2026. However, Aurora analyst Zimmermann fears delays in the regulation coming into force in Germany, because the Federal Network Agency, which is responsible for the regulation, has not yet decided on a measurement concept. Other European countries, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland and Italy, which allow flexible operation of co-location systems, are already further ahead in this respect, says Zimmermann.

Expert analysis: Battery storage as a business model for PV

Intersolar Europe, which is taking place this year from May 7-9, offers a comprehensive overview of the latest products, technologies and solutions, as well as the major trends in the field of PV hybrid power plants. At the accompanying Intersolar Europe Conference, there will be a session in English from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, titled “Hybrid PV Power Plants II: Strategies for Matching Energy Generation & Power Demand.” On Thursday, May 8, the topic of hybrid power plants will be the subject of a session in English at the Intersolar Forum (Hall A3, Booth A3.150) from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. (hcn)

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Solar Energy

Battery storage as a business model for PV

March 18, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The rapid expansion of photovoltaic (PV) systems and the growth of renewable energy present new challenges for the energy system, particularly with regard to the integration and demand-oriented feed-in of solar power. Critics often question the viability of the energy transition by pointing to brief periods of low renewable generation, so-called “dark doldrums.”

ees Europe 2025: storage industry meets battery research

However, this perspective overlooks the potential of battery storage systems to bridge these gaps by storing excess energy and feeding it back into the grid when needed. This capability has given rise to a business model that offers attractive opportunities for both system operators and investors. The following sections explore how battery storage can be leveraged as a business model in the PV sector, the technological advancements shaping the market, and the associated economic benefits and challenges.

Fundamentals and functionality of battery storage in PV systems

Battery storage systems in the PV sector help balance the discrepancy between variable power generation and actual energy demand. Excess solar power is stored as chemical energy and converted back into electrical energy when required, such as during periods of low sunlight or high grid load.

Solar Investors Guide: Storage systems to revolutionize the grid

Today, the most common technology is lithium-ion batteries, which offer high energy densities, fast response times, and good scalability. Business models become viable only at a minimum capacity of 1-6 MWh, as containerized solutions with integrated safety features, climate control, battery management systems (BMS), and the necessary transformer stations only become cost-effective at this scale.

Economic advantages and business models

Integrating battery storage into PV systems unlocks various economic opportunities:

Optimization of self-consumption: Battery storage enables operators to maximize the use of their self-generated solar power, reducing reliance on the public grid and lowering electricity costs.

Revenue generation through grid services: Battery storage allows for the provision of ancillary services, such as frequency and voltage regulation, creating additional revenue streams through grid services.

Load management and arbitrage: Operators can take advantage of electricity price fluctuations by storing power when prices are low and selling it when demand—and prices—are high.

Investment security through long-term contracts: Long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) and government incentive programs provide a stable foundation for predictable revenues, significantly reducing investment risks.

Modular expandability: Battery storage systems are highly scalable, allowing smaller installations to be expanded as needed, ultimately lowering storage costs.

Solar Investors Guide #5: Prospects and pitfalls for investments in solar and large battery projects

Technological developments

Rapid advancements in battery storage technology have significantly contributed to the attractiveness of this business model:

Improved energy storage density and efficiency: Innovations in materials science and battery management systems are leading to higher efficiencies and longer life cycles.

Faster charge and discharge cycles: Modern battery systems can respond quickly to changes in power supply, making them ideal for short-term grid stabilization.

Digitalization and smart control: AI and smart grid technologies optimize the integration of battery storage into the power network, reducing operational costs and enhancing profitability.

Expert analysis: “Battery storage needs to be as lucrative to make as it is to use”

Future prospects

The future development of large-scale battery storage as a business model will be influenced by several key factors:

Further expansion of renewable energy: As more renewable energy is fed into the grid, the demand for effective storage solutions will continue to rise.

Technological innovations: Emerging materials and storage technologies will drive costs down while increasing efficiency.

International cooperation: Integrating large-scale storage into European energy markets and cross-border networks wile open up new business opportunities.

Digitalization and smart grids: Intelligent control systems will optimize storage utilization and enhance the economic viability of battery storage solutions.

Market potential and future outlook

With the continued expansion of photovoltaics, the increasing decentralization of energy supply, and the sharp reduction in battery costs to below €200,000 per MWh, the demand for battery storage systems will continue to rise. Future trends include:

Expansion of storage capacities: As renewable energy integration increases, modular battery storage systems will become an essential component of modern energy systems.

Innovative financing models: Green bonds, crowdfunding, and cooperative models can facilitate investment in battery storage.

International expansion: In regions with high solar exposure and unstable grid infrastructures, the demand for PV-supported battery storage systems will grow significantly.

Synergies with other technologies: Combining battery storage with power-to-X technologies or intelligent load management systems will further strengthen this business model.

Conclusion

Battery storage as a business model in the PV sector offers a forward-looking solution for optimizing self-consumption, increasing revenue, and stabilizing the grid. Despite high investment costs and technical challenges, ongoing technological advancements and innovative financing models create numerous economic opportunities. With clear regulatory frameworks and growing market acceptance, battery storage systems represent a key component of the energy transition—a business model that offers long-term stability and growth potential for both investors and operators.

Large battery storage systems in Europe are all the rage

The market potential for large-scale battery storage will continue to expand significantly in the coming years as renewable energy integration progresses and government incentives, as well as regulatory measures, further support the investment landscape. (Erich Merkle/hcn)

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Solar Energy

Gigawatt milestone achieved in hydrogen applications

March 17, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The current project integrates photovoltaics, battery storage, and hydrogen production, underscoring Altenso’s strategic focus as a global pioneer in sustainable energy supply.
“We are proud of this gigawatt milestone and of more than 80 successfully implemented hydrogen projects, which mostly produce green hydrogen using PV and wind energy,” said Jens Eiko Birkholz, Head of Sales & Business Development from Altenso.

SMA: Olaf Heyden joins Managing Board as Chief Transformation Officer

“Our team has extensive technological expertise and years of experience in international project management. These skills are essential for successfully implementing increasingly complex projects, including offshore implementations. Overall, the projects we support enable the production of up to 130,000 tons of green hydrogen per year, actively contributing to the decarbonization of industrial processes.”

Integrated hydrogen production with PV, battery storage and power-to-gas

“In the rapidly evolving global market for hydrogen and renewable energy, stable grid integration and efficient load control are crucial,” said SMA CEO Jürgen Reinert. “With SMA’s innovative technologies providing these functions and Altenso’s well established project business, we are making a significant contribution to integrating renewable energies into the utility grid and shaping the future of energy.“

SMA Altenso celebrates ten years of renewable energy projects

For the current project on Namibia’s Atlantic coast, Altenso is not only carrying out the system integration of the battery storage system (BESS) but also serving as a power-to-gas (P2G) solution provider for integrated hydrogen production. The installation and commissioning of the PV farm and battery inverter technology were successfully completed at the end of 2024.

Grid-friendly and efficient IGBT technology

Hydrogen production is scheduled to start in the middle 2025. The rectifier solution, which was specially developed by SMA for hydrogen applications, is based on grid-friendly and efficient IGBT technology. This solution is highly flexible and compatible with various electrolyzer types, such as PEM, SOEC, or alkaline. Integrated grid services, such as fault ride-through (FRT) and dynamic reactive power support, significantly contribute to the success of the system.

MAN Energy Solutions and Quest One building demonstration plant for large-scale electrolyzer

Altenso has developed a cutting-edge energy management system (EMS) specifically for projects like this. This system optimizes sustainable hydrogen production based on PV forecasts and dynamic demand profiles. (hcn)

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Solar Energy

Gigawatt milestone in hydrogen applications surpassed

March 17, 2025 ryansheehanrts

SMA: Olaf Heyden joins Managing Board as Chief Transformation Officer

Integrated hydrogen production with PV, battery storage and power-to-gas

SMA Altenso celebrates ten years of renewable energy projects

Grid-friendly and efficient IGBT technology

MAN Energy Solutions and Quest One building demonstration plant for large-scale electrolyzer

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Solar Energy

Trinasolar starts deliveries for integrated project

March 13, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Trinasolar has started deliveries for a co-located solar and energy storage project at Sandon Brook in Essex, UK. Owned and led by global renewable energy company, Low Carbon, it is Trinasolar’s first project to combine the company’s modules, mounting structures and energy storage systems at the same site, all with solutions from Trinasolar.

UK: Europe‘s largest battery facility goes into operation

Trinasolar will provide almost 80,000 of its n-type dual-glass bifacial Vertex N solar PV modules with up to 700W output power, which will be mounted on more than 1,100 of the company’s FixOrigin fixed-tilt mounting structures. For the battery energy storage system (BESS), Trina Storage will deliver the integrated full AC system including 36 Elementa cabinets, for a total of 70MWh of storage capacity, in support of the site’s arbitrage and ancillary service capabilities.

High compatibilty and optimisation of components ensured

The single-source nature of the project means high compatibility and optimisation of components is ensured, maximizing consistent performance throughout. When completed, the project will have a solar PV generation capacity of 49.9MW. Sandon Brook is one of four Low Carbon sites in the UK where Trina Storage has provided BESS capabilities, making up a total of 190 MWh in storage capacity.

UK: Large solar PV and storage co-location site in Birmingham operational

Justin Thesiger, Managing Director of Global Supply Chain at Low Carbon, said: “We are delighted to see the Sandon Brook project begin to take shape, and further strengthen our partnership with Trinasolar.

Benefits in terms of functionality

“Delivering a combined solar and storage project such as this one is ambitious in its scope, but the fact we can source all core elements of the system from Trinasolar is a major benefit. We look forward to working with the company on similar holistic projects in the future as we look to play a key role in tackling climate change.”

Scotland: 100 MWh storage project of Trina Storage, Clarke and Temporis

Gonzalo de la Viña, President Europe at Trinasolar, added: “We are proud to see our company’s philosophy of implementing integrated smart energy solutions being put into practice in our region. We strongly believe projects of this type are the future of the solar industry given the benefits they bring in terms of functionality and compatibility, and are enthusiastic to see the difference it will make to the local community once completed. (hcn)

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Solar Energy

Europe`s largest battery facility goes into operation

March 11, 2025 ryansheehanrts

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.

Solar Investor’s Guide: Large storage systems

“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.”

Solar Investors Guide #4: Long-term storage with iron flow technology

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).

Background: Blackhillock large-scale battery storage

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.

UK: Large solar PV and storage co-location site in Birmingham operational

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)

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Solar Energy

Europe`s largest battery system put in operation

March 11, 2025 ryansheehanrts

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.

Solar Investor’s Guide: Large storage systems

Solar Investors Guide #4: Long-term storage with iron flow technology

Zenobē

The large-scale storage system is part of the UK’s Pathfinder program.

Background: Blackhillock large-scale battery storage

UK: Large solar PV and storage co-location site in Birmingham operational

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Solar Energy

Opportunity for renewables and European manufacturing

February 27, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The Clean Industrial Deal includes measures to unite climate action and competitiveness under a single economic and industrial growth agenda. The Commission confirmed that the plan is set to support energy-intensive industries and clean tech manufacturing by driving renewables, electrification, grids, and storage.

“The Clean Industrial Deal brilliantly sets electrification as a key pillar for industrial competitiveness and decarbonisation, including a new 32% electrification target by 2030. We see that as a floor, not a ceiling. There are plenty of energy uses that are low-hanging fruit to electrify», Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe said.

Eurelectric: call for Electrification bank in the EU Clean Industrial Deal

„However, dedicated financial support for electrification needs to materialise. The new Industrial Decarbonisation Bank risks pitching electrification against gas-dependent solutions that look good on paper but miss the irrefutable benefits of electrification. Flexible, renewable-based, electrification can reduce day-ahead energy prices by 25% by 2030. Investment in electrification must be prioritised over short-term fossil-based solutions“, Hemetsberger underlined.

Integrate energy storage in the Grids Package

„Getting the upcoming Grids Package right is critical to the success of the competitiveness agenda. It should be a Grids and Storage Package. Battery storage is the absolute shortcut to lower, less-volatile energy prices. Where is Europe’s battery storage strategy?“, Hemetsberger said.

SolarPower Europe welcomes new EU Competitiveness Compass

„We’re glad to see that today’s publication provides a specific boost for European solar manufacturers. The intention to prefer EU-made products in public procurement should strengthen the Net-Zero Industry Act, but we urgently need to complement that with financing support for building and operating factories. We need to see EU products better rewarded in public procurement while staying clear of unnecessary barriers to solar deployment.

Right framing of the Affordable Energy Action Plan

The Affordable Energy Action Plan has the right framing, focus and sequence of actions points, starting with freeing electricity bills from unnecessary taxes and levies, and then making electricity structurally cheaper by boosting grids, flexibility and faster RES permitting. The plan is right, time to action. We do caution against plans to finance more LNG infrastructure, and any expectations that this would help reduce fossil fuel price volatility.

Battery regulation risks undermining PPAs

Under the Omnibus packages, aligning the scope and obligations between the CSRD and CSDDD is sensible as long as it doesn’t water down regulatory objectives. Simplification should not mean deregulation. We are pleased to see Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives maintain their central role under the CSDDD, which should be aligned under the Forced Labour Regulation (and other relevant due diligence legislation). Such initiatives will only become more important as routes-to-compliance“, Hemetsberger said.

Important commitment for a Citizen Energy Package

The Commission’s Action Plan on Affordable Energy, which makes up part of the CID, presents a set of welcomed actions that aim to decrease energy prices for citizens, business and communities across the EU, REScoop.eu (European federation of energy communities) declared. In particular, REScoop.eu would welcome the Action Plan’s commitment for a Citizen Energy Package to be published later this year to enhance the ability of local communities, citizens, municipalities, and companies to join forces through an energy community, and through other citizen-initiatives such as energy sharing.

EU Farming Strategy emphasizes the role of solar

The Citizen Energy Package would be particularly important, as most Member States have yet to implement enabling frameworks for energy communities required by existing EU legislation. Furthermore, the Action Plan proposes other actions that should also benefit energy communities, for instance on network charges, power purchase agreements (PPAs), permitting, boosting flexibility, and grids, just to name a few.

Integrating energy communities into sector coupling

Moving forward, it would be of utmost importance to create strong links and synergies between the Affordable Energy Action Plan and more concrete and targeted support under the Citizen Energy Package for social economy and local community-led approaches.

Simplication of regulations for energy communities

“Energy communities are social economic actors that make up a growing and innovative segment of Europe’s industry that will help deliver the energy transition. To succeed in reinvigorating Europe’s economy, the Clean Industrial Deal must be a social deal at heart; it must prioritise the simplification of regulations for local ownership of production, sharing and supply of renewable electricity and heat by energy communities, along with citizen-led approaches to renovations and energy savings“, Dirk Vansintjan, President of REScoop.eu, said. (hcn)

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Solar Energy

Fimer makes a new start – participation at KEY in Rimini

February 25, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The choice to participate in this event comes at a turning point for Fimer. Indeed, the takeover of a new ownership and substantial investments have allowed the company to return fully operational. Further future investments of over 50 million euros will allow Fimer to achieve a renewed financial solidity and focus on the development of new products.

Italy: KEY in Rimini as showcase for energy transition

KEY represents a unique opportunity for FIMER to showcase its latest technologies for the photovoltaic market, the company announced.. Among the same, the Power platform, including single-phase and three-phase inverters with a storage system for the residential segment, deserves to be mentioned, as well as the new high-power three-phase inverter PVS-75/125 and the line of inverters PVS-10/33 which are designed for C&I projects.

Power platform: PowerUNO, PowerTRIO and PowerX

The Fimer residential solutions portfolio offers a wide range of innovative string inverters and versatile solutions for energy storage that guarantee the maximization of self-consumption. In particular, the new Power platform includes a single-phase inverter, PowerUNO, a three-phase inverter, PowerTRIO and a modular storage system, PowerX.

PowerUNO and PowerTRIO represent the new generation of hybrid, single-phase and three-phase inverters. They are available in a wide range of power sizes, from 2 to 6 kW for single-phase and from 4 to 10 kW for three-phase, allowing the needs of projects of any size to be met, whether they are new installations or revamping.

The two 16 A MPPTs guarantee maximum compatibility with most photovoltaic modules and optimize the use of energy from the solar panels. Installation is considerably simplified thanks to the Plug&Play connections accessible from the outside and the presence of a single output intended for both standard operating conditions and backup situations. Finally, integrated connectivity allows real-time monitoring, offering complete control over the system’s performance.

Acquisition of Italian inverter manufacturer Fimer completed

PowerX is a response to the growing demand for storage systems. Designed with minimal dimensions, it allows for quick and easy installation. This modular battery system offers the possibility to expand the storage capacity at any time. Each PowerX system allows the installation of three 5 kWh battery modules, for a total of 15 kWh. Furthermore, it is possible to connect two systems together, thus reaching a maximum of 30 kWh, a notable flexibility that satisfies every energy storage need.

KEY Rimini 2025: Focus on renewable opportunity for the Mediterranean region

PowerUNO and PowerX are already available on the market and can be ordered. PowerTRIO is under certification and will be released soon.

Main features of PowerUNO and PowerTRIO

– Hybrid inverters, installation on the DC or AC side

– Compact design

– Small and light, but robust and powerful

– Wide range of power sizes (from 2,0 kW to 10 kW)

– Backup capacity respectively of up to 6 kW and 10 kW

– External Plug&Play connections (no need to open the front cover)

– Built-in communication devices: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB

– Conversion efficiency +98%

– Super quiet, with noise level below 40 dBA

– Free remote monitoring through the “Energy Viewer” App

– Built-in arc fault detection system (AFCI)

Main features of PowerX

– Preassembled Plug&Play cable for the connection to the inverter

– Up to 3 battery modules per system for a capacity of 15 kWh

– Up to two systems can be connected for a total of 30 kWh

– Maximum load/unload power 5 kW

– Lightweight. Allows an easy handling, transportation and maintenance

– Possibility to add an energy storage system anytime

– LFP (Lithium-iron-phosphate)

PVS-75/125: the new battery ready three-phase inverter

With three power sizes (75 kW, 100 kW and 125 kW) and up to 12 MPPTs, which can be paralleled according to project needs, this battery ready inverter is designed to offer an innovative and flexible solar solution for commercial & industrial applications.

Particularly compact and light and designed to allow rapid installation and easy maintenance, this new solution by Fimer represents an important step in the path that the company is taking to conquer the market through innovation, research and the quality of Made in Italy products.

Main features of the new PVS-75/125:

– Battery ready

– Fuse-free design

– Optimized weight and volume

– Quick to install, easy to maintain

– 24/7 remote monitoring

§ Real-time I-V curve available

PVS-10/33 range: three-phase string inverters

When visiting the Fimer booth, do not miss the three-phase string inverter solutions PVS-10/15 and PVS-20/33, designed to meet the needs of C&I projects. These inverters, available in different power sizes, respectively from 10 kW to 15 kW and from 20 kW to 33 kW, stand out for their ability to optimize construction and operating costs.

Thanks to their versatility, these solutions are suitable for any type of application, both for new and existing systems, with low installation and maintenance costs. Quick installation and commissioning, as well as simplified maintenance with a fuseless design, are just some of the distinguishing features of these products.

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The advanced integrated communication features ensure flawless interoperability with new digital technologies, while the integrated Wi-Fi/Ethernet connectivity allows the creation of networks flexible based on TCP/IP at low costs. Furthermore, the ease of replacement of any network device allows for easy and convenient management of the infrastructure.

SolarPower Europe calls for action plan to save the European PV inverter industry

In the context of retrofitting, this range of inverters stands out for its remarkable flexibility in adapting to existing photovoltaic field configurations, offering tailor-made solutions for each project.

Main features of PVS-10/33:

– Compact inverters suitable for vertical and horizontal installation

– Fuse free design

– Maximum string voltage 1100 Vdc

– Compatible with bifacial photovoltaic modules

– Integrated Export Limitation function

– Single string current monitoring

– Arc fault detection system (optional)

– 10% additional power available with temperatures up to 30°C (PVS-20/33)

– PID recovery function (optional)

Fimer exhibits at Pavilion D3 / Booth 421 at KEY. (hcn)

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