Solar energy is one of the mainstays of the global energy transition. Small wind turbines and energy storage systems are also proving highly complementary to photovoltaics. Connecting different sources of energy with innovative storage solutions to form intelligent networks is the basis for a stable energy supply via the power grid in the future. ees Europe — Europe's largest exhibition for batteries and energy storage systems is dedicating a special exhibit entitled Wind meets Solar and Storage to the economic, technical and scientific aspects of these questions. From June 22–24, 2016, in collaboration with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the exhibition in Munich will be demonstrating how the vision of a clean energy supply can be put into practice.
The sustainable and affordable generation of electricity for stationary and mobile applications is one of the most important global challenges for the decades to come. An option with a bright future: Solar power generation. Small wind turbines are highly complementary to photovoltaics, as good wind conditions often prevail when the sun is blocked by clouds. Innovative energy storage systems can also balance the fluctuations in decentralized energy generation, which leads to optimized energy systems and reduced electricity costs. The significance of this potential is now being recognized, which has helped the small wind turbine industry to grow steadily over the last few years. According to the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA), in 2014, the industry’s installed capacity rose by 10.9% in comparison with the previous year. State-of-the-art large-scale storage systems are one of the mainstays of the grid of the future, ensuring a stable power supply with clean energy. They balance out peaks and bottle necks in energy supply by absorbing excess energy when it is not needed, and releasing it later. From June 22–24, 2016, at the special exhibit Wind meets Solar and Storage at ees Europe, researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) will be demonstrating how different technologies for power generation, energy storage and conversion are connected to consumers in a smart energy system that utilizes the most up-to-date information technologies (hall B2, booth 290).
Large-scale storage system balance out fluctuations in the power grid
One of the centerpieces of the special exhibit is the prototype of an energy storage device measuring almost 100 cubic meters. The large-scale storage system is close to series maturity; it boasts an exceptionally high energy density, innovative cooling concept, and outstanding energy and economic efficiency. With a maximum output of 1.8 MW, the battery storage system can be connected to the power grid or used for off-grid applications. It is therefore ideally suited for balancing out fluctuations in the grid or supplying neighborhoods with energy.
The storage device was developed and built as part of the Energy Labs 2.0 program. The intelligent energy transition platform is the result of collaboration between KIT, the Helmholtz centers, the German national aeronautics and space research centre (DLR) and the Forschungszentrum Jülich. Using the Energy Lab 2.0, researchers can connect producers, storage systems and consumers on one research platform which covers the entire value-added chain in an interdisciplinary and comprehensive approach. They share the objective of accelerating the energy transition through the integration of renewable sources of energy in power generation. The Energy Lab 2.0 takes new, experimental approaches to stabilizing the energy grid. “To manage the energy transition in Germany we need to establish renewable energies as well as energy storage,” says Dr. Olaf Wollersheim, Group Leader Competence E, at KIT. “The insights gained from Energy Lab 2.0 will give us important indications on how to design the power grids of the future in Germany. We are delighted that, together with ees Europe, we have the opportunity to present our research findings and discuss the future of energy supply with visitors at the exhibition.”
The special exhibit will be complemented by the shared booth on Wind meets Solar and Storage, where CUBE Engineering GmbH, EMD Deutschland GbR, FGH GmbH and windtest grevenbroich GmbH amongst others will be presenting their products and innovations.
Smart Renewable Energy Forum and East Bavarian Technology Transfer Institute (OTTI) Wind Power Forum at Intersolar Europe
How will a clean and safe energy supply work? This question will also be addressed at Intersolar Europe, the world’s leading exhibition for the solar industry and its partners, where the Smart Renewable Energy Forum will be held for the very first time in hall B2, booth 131. Wind meets Solar and Storage will also be the subject of the Forum’s sessions on Integration Strategies (Thursday, June 23, 2016 from 1:30pm–3:00pm) and Virtual Power Plants (Thursday, June 23, 2016 from 4:00pm–5:30pm).
Under the title of On-Shore Wind Energy – Wind meets Solar and Storage, the OTTI (East Bavarian Technology Transfer Institute) Wind Power Forum at Intersolar Europe is set to demonstrate how the synergies of wind power and photovoltaics can be used. In addition to this, the Forum will be providing information on the ideal technical coordination of wind and solar energy as part of grid integration. This event will take place on two occasions: June 22 from 1:00pm–4:00pm, and June 23 from 8:30am–12:45pm.
ees Europe 2016 takes place alongside Intersolar Europe at Messe München from June 22–24, 2016.
Further information on ees Europe 2016 can be found at www.ees-europe.com.
