Elektrizitätswerke des Kantons Zürich (EKZ), one of Switzerland’s largest power distributors, owns and runs the GSS, which NEC Energy Solutions (NEC ES) says is the European country’s biggest installed storage project. EKZ is using the system to provide stability to the grid by mitigating frequency deviations. However, the GSS could also be used to provide additional ancillary services, with a payback of five to seven years, according to an online statement.
The system has been installed close to a substation in Volketswil, just outside of Zurich. It can provide enough electricity to cater to the daily needs of about 600 average households (families of four).
“Battery storage is a vital part of future energy supply,” said Marina González Vayá, an EKZ storage specialist. “The now-completed storage system contributes to the stability of continental Europe’s power grid.”
Earlier this month, NEC ES — which produces and integrates storage solutions for the grid and behind-the-meter applications — commissioned a 2 MW, 2 MWh lithium-ion storage system for ENGIE Energía Chile in northern Chile. And in January, it installed two independent 280kW/340kWh distributed storage systems and the NEC group’s proprietary AERO controls software for Consumers Energy in the US state of Michigan.
NEC ES was particularly active throughout 2018. In November, it won contracts for 19 MW of storage capacity at two sites just outside of London. In September, it revealed plans to work with Key Capture Energy on a 20 MW storage project in New York state. It also started offering a new DC-coupled storage solution for the solar+storage market.
Last April, it agreed to supply a 20 MW GSS to Ørsted UK, to provide services for the UK’s national grid. And in January 2018, it commissioned 50 MW of energy storage capacity in the UK with VLC Energy and VPI Immingham.
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