The role of power electronics and energy storage in the energy transition

Due to the increasing demand for electricity, the electricity grid is increasingly overloaded. Grid operators are busy strengthening and expanding the grid, but this process takes years. How do we prevent the energy transition from being delayed by capacity problems? FHI spoke about this with Noël Steentjes, technical director at Bredenoord and plenary speaker at the Power Electronics & Energy Storage event in Den Bosch.

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“The solution to grid congestion lies partly in the use of batteries. They act as a buffer, which relieves the grid while still having sufficient power available, the so-called Peakshaven”, Steentjes says enthusiastically. His company once grew big with diesel generators, but the focus is increasingly shifting to sustainable alternatives, including mobile battery systems. “The ultimate goal is to work 100% emission-free. We are working towards this in steps by making more frequent use of battery systems, with or without clean generators on alternative fuels.”

Realistic alternative
Environmentally friendly alternative fuels such as biodiesel, biogas, (green) hydrogen and biomethanol are available on the market, but their usability depends on the type of application. Steentjes: “As a company, we are always looking for realistic alternatives. It must remain affordable for the customer and be practically applicable. We mainly work with biodiesel and biogas in combination with battery systems. We hardly use hydrogen: green hydrogen is currently still too expensive and difficult to obtain. That is why we do not opt for it, although that may change in the future.”

But isn't battery production very polluting? According to Steentjes, it's not that bad and batteries are becoming increasingly 'greener'. "Developments in batteries are moving very fast. Production is becoming more sustainable, batteries last longer and their capacity is increasing. This makes it a stable and reliable power supply in combination with the aforementioned biodiesel or biogas." According to Steentjes, suddenly banning diesel generators is not a realistic scenario. "It's not for nothing that we talk about a transition. In the short term, I mainly see salvation in hybrid applications; a mix of different alternative fuels with energy storage-solutions."

Dilemma
As an example, the engineer tells about a recent project in which a dike was reinforced with sheet piling. “The sheet piling had to be placed along the bank from a ship. This required a large amount of electricity. The problem was that there was no power supply on the ship. We were then approached with the request to supply batteries, but the project was so large-scale that one battery system was not sufficient. And there was not enough space for two battery systems. We solved this dilemma by connecting a biogas generator to the battery pack which allowed the battery to be charged in between. That way we didn't have to use two battery systems. Previously we would have used a diesel generator, but that wasn't necessary now."

Higher costs
Steentjes admits that a bio-aggregate coupled with a battery pack in use is more expensive than its diesel brother. “As a customer, you have to be able and willing to pay for that. In the long term, sustainable solutions will become more affordable due to the increase in mass production, but it will never be as cheap as diesel. We have to accept that together,” says Steentjes.

Thermal runaway
Critics point not only to the higher price tag of sustainable solutions. With battery systems that are as large as a large container, safety is an important point of attention. Steentjes: “It is true that with rechargeable lithium-ion battery systems you have an increased chance of a thermal runaway. Then such a battery system spontaneously catches fire. Of course you want to prevent that. Using practical examples, I will explain during my presentation what you can do as a company to make batteries safer while maintaining the energy density.”  

The social impact of a streamlined energy transition is enormous, according to Steentjes. “Many companies are surprised by the fact that they cannot get power. If you do not take measures in time, an overcrowded electricity grid can halt a project with major financial consequences. To give an example: due to the accelerated electrification in the sector, the Dutch construction and infrastructure world can come to a standstill without power. Fortunately, we can also use battery systems here, so that a small construction connection is often sufficient.”

Handles and tips
Do you want to know how power electronics and energy storage can accelerate the energy transition and are you looking for practical tools and tips? Then come and listen to the presentation by Noël Steentjes on May 28th in 1931 Congrescentrum in 's-Hertogenbosch. Register for the lecture and the event free of charge on the event website.