The Energy Storage Report 2024

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SPONSORED: Nidec smart, flexible solutions that optimize energy production in a microgrid

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Imagine being able to combine the predictability tools of an Energy Management System with the full control of a Power Management System in one, easy-to-use software platform that allows you to make maximum use of renewable energy, reduce fuel costs, improve efficiency, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and improve power reliability both on-grid and off-grid: that’s ARTICS Smart Energy! The heart of our smart microgrid solutions.

Nidec works with customers and communities across the globe to install smart microgrids which integrate existing power generation assets with renewable sources to meet local energy demand. When coupled with battery energy storage solutions, we offer the maximum flexibility to help meet and offset peak demand, manage critical and non-critical loads and ensure grid stability in a dynamic, constantly changing environment.

Large shopping centers, university campuses, government facilities and resorts are seeking ways to increase their reliance on green energy without risking interruptions in power supply. Nidec works closely with customers to identify demand management profiles that will allow the users to define how they use the energy they produce. For example, customers can avoid peak demand penalties by re-scheduling non-critical loads or define load priorities so that critical loads like security systems, refrigeration or emergency power supply is always guaranteed.

A Nidec Smart Microgrid project at a resort in Gasfinolhu Island, Maldives.
Nidec also works alongside producers of renewable energy sources in places where diesel, the main source of fuel, is costly and not always easy to deliver. Thousands of towns and villages in remote areas as well as small islands rely on diesel fuel for their energy supply. Diesel, however, is costly and not always easy to deliver in some regions. Smart micro-grids are enabling communities to switch to renewable energy sources like wind and solar to reduce their dependency on diesel or other traditional energy sources. When coupled with battery energy storage systems, these micro-grids are radically changing living conditions by giving citizens access to a steady supply of safe, clean electricity that can be used at any time of the day or night. Artics Smart Energy can be scaled to any power rating. It’s a flexible open platform that can easily be customized to adjust to changes in loads and energy supply making it the ideal solution for rural electrification.

One example of this is the Smart Microgrid project in Ollagüe, Chile, a village nested in the Andes mountain range at an altitude of 3660m above sea level. This project started out with the goal of integrating photovoltaic and wind power generation, a large scale power storage system used to compensate for the instability of these renewable energy forms, and an already existing diesel generator into a system capable of providing stable power. In order to engineer a cost efficient system of an optimal scale, the total power consumption of the village was measured for various hours of the day, while the yearly sunshine duration and the wind power of the location were estimated based on historic data. Armed with this information, we decided on an optimal composition and design for the system and set out to develop, produce and install the equipment.

Accomplishing the goals of this project was made possible by Nidec’s significant experience in designing and installing energy intensive industrial plants throughout the world including regions with extremely poor or weak grids where power demand, power quality and grid stability are a major concern. Nidec’s vast experience in designing robust electrical systems along with advanced technology made it possible accomplish the goals of this project improving the quality of life for the inhabitants of Ollagüe.

Another Nidec Smart Microgrid project was realised at a resort in Gasfinolhu Island (Maldives): our customer’s dream was to create a luxury tourist resort powered by renewable energy with a low environmental impact. Nidec developed and supplied the Power Management System (PMS), which balances the grid loads to ensure steady energy supply as well as the Power Conversion System (PCS) for the energy storage system.

A fundamental function of the microgrid control is to ensure the stability of the electric network, but an equally important goal is to optimize energy consumption through local generation of energy, particularly from renewable energy sources such as small-scale wind and solar.

In this critical application, the primary focus was on maximizing energy from the installed solar capacity, while maintaining grid stability and full electric functionality at this luxury resort.

Finally, Nidec, with over a century of experience to draw on, supplies a complete set of diagnostic and monitoring tools that can make an important contribution to increasing plant reliability and up-time. We are also able to provide customers with remote diagnostics assistance, monitoring plant and drive performance from our plant in Italy or supplying customers with the tools to integrate remote diagnostics into their plant supervision systems.

Download the Ollagüe, Chile case study here for free

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