AUTUMN 2022

ENERGY GLOBAL

CONTENTS AUTUMN 2022

03. Guest comment 28. Power to the max

Matt Roberts, Director of Renewable Projects, Emerson, USA.
04. Green means go
Naomi Potter, Cornwall Insight, UK. 32. Looking to the future
Michael Ducker, Senior Vice President and Head of Hydrogen
Infrastructure, and Tom Cornell, Senior Vice President for
Energy Storage Solutions, Mitsubishi Power Americas, USA.

40. Generate to accelerate

Naomi Potter, Cornwall Insight,
UK, outlines how green hydrogen is
playing a key role in the renewable
transition across Europe, especially
for hard-to-abate sectors.

L Alastair Morris, Chief Commercial Officer, Powerstar, UK.

ow-carbon hydrogen plays a key role in
ambitions for a renewable transition across
Europe, in particular for hard-to-abate
sectors such as heavy goods vehicles (HGV)
transportation, heavy industry, and heating. The
term ‘low-carbon hydrogen’ is widely understood
to incorporate a number of ‘shades’ of the
technology, which vary according to production
method. This includes green hydrogen produced

44. Time to transition

through electrolysis via renewables – such as solar
photovoltaics (PV) and wind energy.1 Throughout
Europe, and especially within the EU, green hydrogen
has received significant attention. The EU announced
its target of 40 GW of electrolyser capacity for
green hydrogen by 2030 in its bloc-wide hydrogen
strategy published in July 2020.2 Drawing on findings
from Cornwall Insight’s Low-carbon Hydrogen Index,3

Steve Wirtel, Kore Infrastructure, USA.

this article will explore the policy and commercial
landscape for green hydrogen in countries across
Europe. It will chart the emergence of supply chains
as well as forward-looking government plans and
present regulation.

Germany leads the globe

At present, Germany is one of the global leaders in
terms of hydrogen capacity targets, which increased

48. Waste not, want not

from 5 – 10 GW by 2030 after the inauguration of the
new Federal Government in late 2021.4 The country
also intends to be at the heart of development
across the globe, having launched organisations and
funding schemes aimed at encouraging investment in
hydrogen projects abroad.5
In its national hydrogen strategy, Germany
has a clear focus on scaling-up green hydrogen
domestically.6 No subsidies are made available for
the production of blue hydrogen, and all targets for
David Richardson, Business Development Manager
Global Renewables, Yokogawa, UK.
4 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 5
04 52. From wasteful to digital
Simon Geiger, STEAG Energy Services, Germany.
10. Making wind wireless
Daniel Sangines, Energy Portfolio & Solutions, Nokia, USA. 58. Ride the wave
Sam Leighton, Managing Director, Bombora Wave Energy, UK.
16. The changing solar landscape
Adam Bernadi, Burns & McDonnell, USA. 62. Pumped to be green
Brian Minhinick, Mott MacDonald, Australia.
20. Small state, big potential
Martin Vogt, CEO, MPC Energy Solutions, the Netherlands.
67. Seeing the bigger picture
Chris Poynter, President, ABB System Drives, Switzerland.
24. Renewables and storage are 70. Global news
better together
Jeff Damron, Wärtsilä’s Energy Storage & Optimisation
Business, USA.
22_1465_Energy Global _Cover_PDF X-1a.pdf 1 9/7/2022 4:40:23 PM

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ON THIS ISSUE'S COVER AUTUMN 2022

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support@wesii.com

--- ---
 COMMENT
Sagar Chopra
Research Analyst at Wood Mackenzie
T
he global floating solar market continues to remain
a niche segment, but it is showing signs of strong
growth prospects as the technology evolves and
more stakeholders enter the market segment. In 2022,
the total market is expected to be just shy of 4 GW direct
current (GWdc), a 150% y/y growth.
Though it only accounts for 2% of the overall global
solar demand, the compounded annual growth for
the floating solar market is expected at 15% in the next
10 years, and the cumulative global installations are
expected to surpass 58 GWdc.
The confluence of land scarcity, increased land costs,
new market entrants, and growing market maturity will
all contribute to the growth of the floating solar market.
Offshore and near-shore floating photovoltaic (PV)
developments are also gaining traction where in-land
water bodies or their use for solar is limited.
Many new project announcements and capacity
auctions are happening around the hybridisation of
floating PV with hydropower. The two technologies
can complement each other; during the dry season,
floating solar can maximise production, and, during
the wet season, hydro can be the majority power
producer. Together, they can also help manage peak
demand and smooth out the total power production.
Co-location of floating solar with existing offshore
wind projects can also help with cost amortisation
as floating solar can take advantage of the existing
transmission infrastructure.
The segment continues to evolve with disruptive
solutions on all fronts of the component stack to
make floating solar more adaptable and robust for
water-based applications, where we’re seeing new
market entrants and stakeholders develop innovative
technologies to design such floating systems. Examples
include dual glass modules, wave-dampening floats, and
flexible mooring solutions.
The Asia-Pacific region continues as the largest market
for floating solar. With 3 GWdc, the region captures over
93% of the total floating solar installations in 2022.
High population density leads to land scarcity, which
in turn makes land acquisition costs high – one of the
major demand drivers for floating solar in the region.
CAPEX for floating solar is also one of the lowest in the
region compared to others due to the availability of
components that are made locally, as well as labour
rates that are cheaper than most other regions.
China bolstered its lead with the commissioning of the
320 MW floating project by Huaneng Power International
in the Dezhou region of the Shandong province at the
start of 2022, which, at the time of writing, is currently the
largest floating solar project in the world.
India, Indonesia, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand
have all either executed large scale floating solar projects
or have announced pipelines for the development of
floating solar projects in the next 2 – 3 years.
With solar competing with agriculture for land use
in Europe, developers have looked at floating solar as
an alternate method to develop solar capacity in the
region. France and the Netherlands continue to be
leaders in the floating solar segment, sharing over 85%
of the total floating solar capacity for Europe in 2022.
This is expected to change as new markets, such as
Spain and Portugal, also adopt and develop new floating
solar projects.
Despite abundant land availability, the US is also
exploring floating solar projects and is expected to
have approximately 10% y/y growth in floating solar
installations in 2022. Even though the cost of floating PV
development is approximately 20 – 40% higher compared
to ground-mounted solar, the elimination of land lease
costs in urban areas that have a demand for solar can be
a big driver for the adoption of floating PV.
With demand for solar increasing across the globe
and developers looking for innovative ways to increase
solar capacity, floating solar has the potential to emerge
as the leader in the alternative segment due to all the
benefits it can offer.
ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 3
 Naomi Potter, Cornwall Insight,
UK, outlines how green hydrogen is
playing a key role in the renewable
transition across Europe, especially
for hard-to-abate sectors.

L
ow-carbon hydrogen plays a key role in
ambitions for a renewable transition across
Europe, in particular for hard-to-abate
sectors such as heavy goods vehicles (HGV)
transportation, heavy industry, and heating. The
term ‘low-carbon hydrogen’ is widely understood
to incorporate a number of ‘shades’ of the
technology, which vary according to production
method. This includes green hydrogen produced
through electrolysis via renewables – such as solar
photovoltaics (PV) and wind energy.1 Throughout
Europe, and especially within the EU, green hydrogen
has received significant attention. The EU announced
its target of 40 GW of electrolyser capacity for
green hydrogen by 2030 in its bloc-wide hydrogen
strategy published in July 2020.2 Drawing on findings
from Cornwall Insight’s Low-carbon Hydrogen Index,3
this article will explore the policy and commercial
landscape for green hydrogen in countries across
Europe. It will chart the emergence of supply chains
as well as forward-looking government plans and
present regulation.

Germany leads the globe

At present, Germany is one of the global leaders in
terms of hydrogen capacity targets, which increased
from 5 – 10 GW by 2030 after the inauguration of the
new Federal Government in late 2021.4 The country
also intends to be at the heart of development
across the globe, having launched organisations and
funding schemes aimed at encouraging investment in
hydrogen projects abroad.5
In its national hydrogen strategy, Germany
has a clear focus on scaling-up green hydrogen
domestically.6 No subsidies are made available for
the production of blue hydrogen, and all targets for

4 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022

5
 capacity pertain only to the green shade of the technology.
Domestically, the government maintains its commitment to
fund and develop the green shade of the fuel.
This has come into conflict with key industry and
government figures. In spite of any domestic debate, the
sector is still developing at pace in Germany. As detailed
in the Hydrogen Strategy for North Germany, a key
advantage for the scale-up of low-carbon hydrogen across
the country is that “the generation, temporary storage,
distribution, and use of hydrogen are geographically
concentrated.”7 This clarity regarding demand centres and
sources of supply offers confidence for developers and
investors, allowing the German hydrogen supply chain to
begin building out. For instance, transport networks – an
area of concern for hydrogen industries across Europe –
are already in construction in Germany as RWE and OGE’s
H2ercules get underway to link the North Sea coast to
industrial clusters in southern Germany. 8
Demand-side boost needed in the UK
The UK stands alongside Germany in having the highest
capacity target for low-carbon hydrogen in Europe at
10 GW.9 A recent update on these ambitions included
a commitment that ‘at least half is to come from
electrolytic hydrogen’, meaning that the 10 GW is roughly
split into a 5 GW target for blue hydrogen and 5 GW for
green hydrogen.9 This technology agnostic approach
stands in contrast to Germany, inviting criticism and
debate amongst key players across the industry.
The UK’s funding schemes for low-carbon hydrogen
are already in motion, with applications for the
Net-Zero Hydrogen Fund Strand 1 and 2 closed and
competition winners due to be announced later this year.10
Figure 1. Two hydrogen atoms joined by a covalent bond.
6 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
Funding in both strands is focused on hydrogen
production projects.
There are also plans for the next five years relating to
the trialling and funding of demand-side projects; however,
these are yet to get underway.11 Research across the sector,
such as Cornwall Insight’s paper on the role for industrial
decarbonisation, has helped to shed light on what sectors
are likely to offer the strongest use cases in the UK and
the routes-to-market for the technology.12 Moreover, some
cross-supply chain partnerships are forming across the
country, such as the recently announced Octopus Hydrogen
and GeoPura joint project to use hydrogen as a replacement
for diesel generators.13
One sector on the demand-side requiring more focus
in the coming years is transport. At present, the country
has 19 active low-carbon hydrogen refuelling stations,
substantially behind Germany and France, which stand
at 101 and 41 stations respectively.14 The UK Government
Hydrogen Sector Action Plan lists transport as a key
demand centre for low-carbon hydrogen fuel.15 However,
more action is required in this sector to ensure a lack of
refuelling stations does not hold back this potential key
use-case for the technology, especially given the rapid
scale-up and decreasing costs of electric vehicles.
Critical transport infrastructure building
out in France
France is third behind Germany and the UK in terms of
electrolyser capacity targets, with 6.5 GW committed
to by 2030.16 As in the UK, transport and industry are
expected to be key demand centres with both being
listed in France’s Hydrogen Strategy as priority areas
for investment.16 As mentioned previously, France is
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in an economically sensible
and ecologically friendly way.
Besides, the reduced land
requirements can make a
valuable contribution to the
acceptance of wind farms in
the public.
 further ahead than the UK in building out its transport
infrastructure. Indeed, significant activity has been seen
in the past five years with regional governments taking a
key role. For instance, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes installed a
total of 14 refuelling stations on major roads, and there
have also been key developments in rail transportation.17
Moreover, in 2019, the regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes,
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Grand Est, and Occitanie –
through the public railway operator SNCF – signed the first
order of 12 dual mode electric-hydrogen trains in France.18
Recent updates confirmed that these trains will make their
first trial runs in 2024.18
France published its national hydrogen strategy
in 2021 with a clear focus on domestic production of
green hydrogen in regional valleys, as opposed to
importing.16 President Emmanuel Macron has also come out
more recently in support of hydrogen produced via nuclear
energy; however, this shade of hydrogen does not directly
feature in the national strategy.19
Southern Europe’s pipeline
In southern Europe, countries such as Spain and Italy follow
Germany’s lead in focusing largely on green hydrogen.
All three countries have released hydrogen strategies
and roadmaps with electrolyser capacity targets at
4 GW and 5 GW by 2030, respectively.
These countries have strong potential to play an
instrumental role in importing hydrogen into Europe –
especially from the African continent – as well as exporting
generation. At present, technical and regulatory issues
related to grid transportation of hydrogen pose a barrier
to the successful implementation of this role. In Spain and
Italy, the issue is largely regulatory, with a lack of suitable
legislation to permit the injection of hydrogen into gas
networks. By contrast, technical expertise is relatively strong
in both countries with leading companies and organisations
already operating in the area.20 In order to harness this
advantage and take action on their potential for transporting
hydrogen across Europe, focus needs to be on addressing the
regulatory limitations for hydrogen networks.
Figure 2. Hydrogen chain.
8 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
2022 sees momentum grow in Ireland
Ireland is yet to publish its hydrogen strategy, but recent
months have seen a boost of activity. On the policy and
regulation side, the government announced in July 2022
that it had opened a consultation for a hydrogen
strategy.21 In May, on the project development side,
energy firm EI-H2 announced that it is seeking planning
permission for a 50 MW electrolysis plant in Aghada,
County Cork, Ireland. Shortly after, GH2, a consortium
of firms and organisations including NUI Galway, the
Port of Galway, and SSE Renewables, announced plans for
a hydrogen valley. 22
The country is well placed to take advantage of its
ample offshore wind resources and access to water.
In addition, Ireland has a modern gas network with
polyethylene pipes which, early studies indicate,23 are
capable of injection and transportation of hydrogen
through the grid. As with other European states, work needs
to be done now to develop the regulation and technical
expertise to match.
Infrastructure critical to match
Europe’s ambitions
Across Europe, plans for low-carbon hydrogen scale-up
are progressing at pace. Given recent concerns around
gas supplies and impending target deadlines for net zero
commitments taken by countries across Europe, the need
to develop the low-carbon hydrogen sector is increasingly
urgent. In order to respond to this, it is vital that countries
ensure that regulations are appropriately updated and
technical or supply chain limitations addressed. While
each country will have its unique issues to respond to,
ensuring the scale-up of infrastructure for demand-side
and hydrogen networks are critical areas for focus in
countries across the continent.
References
A comprehensive list of refences can be found of
the Energy Global website: www.energyglobal.com/
special-reports/
10
Daniel Sangines, Energy Portfolio & Solutions,
Nokia, USA, explores how using LTE/4G
technology can help to optimise wind
farm operations.

S
everal factors are driving the creation of new
opportunities to optimise wind farm operations.
These include innovation in wind turbine technology
and a new generation of sensors, as well as the
ongoing acceleration in machine learning and artificial
intelligence (AI).
Leveraging these developments in a new area of
digitalisation will be key to success. Arguably the most
crucial factor of all will be the
ability to accurately capture and
transport a growing volume of data in real time – both
within wind farms and onward to data centres and
their operators.
The growth in the volume of data is significant,
and it is driving the requirement to provide low-cost
wireless connectivity for new Internet of Things (IoT)
devices. Where operators were previously relying on
VHF, Tetra, and satellite-based technology solutions,

ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 11

 they are now supplementing, or replacing, those systems with
industry standards-based LTE/4G technology.
This exciting new generation of private wireless network
technology has proved its worth in other challenging, complex,
industrial environments, including mines, ports, and factories.
The ability of LTE/4G to provide fast, accurate, and robust data
delivery in these contexts implies significant operational and
commercial benefits for operators.
Construction and operation of wind farms, onshore and
particularly offshore, presents many obstacles similar to those
that have been addressed and overcome in other challenging
industrial environments.
Why LTE/4G offers a significant
opportunity for wind farms
The process of constructing an offshore wind farm is a
challenging and hazardous endeavour. It begins with the
laying of subsea cables that connect the area where the
turbines are to be erected with the shore, and with an offshore
substation that sits at the heart of the wind farm and transmits
the generated power back to dry land.
Figure 1. Where operators were previously relying on VHF, Tetra,
and satellite-based technology solutions, they are now supplementing
or replacing those systems with industry standards-based
LTE/4G technology.
Figure 2. LTE/4G technology can deliver pervasive connectivity for the
entire site – which can cover an extremely large area of land or sea.
In the case of offshore wind farms, that coverage can be extended
over the corridor from the site to the port.
12 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
Monopiles that will effectively act as the foundations for
each wind turbine then have to be hammered into the seabed
to a depth of up to 30 m. Once this process is complete, the
cables, platforms, ladders, and all-important wind turbines
can be installed.
It is worth emphasising just how hazardous this
construction process is – and how important it is that the
health and safety of the teams carrying out the work is treated
as a top priority. At the same time, workforce enablement to
ensure maximum productivity and the most seamless and
efficient installation and ongoing maintenance process is also
a key consideration.
Many of the tasks described above are carried out using
remote-controlled subsea vehicles. The teams operating
these machines and working onsite need the most robust
broadband data capabilities, as well as high-definition video
to ensure the efficient delivery and installation of all the
components that make up a wind farm.
The boosted quality of communications delivered by the
new generation of LTE/4G technology also brings benefits to
voice communications between team members, as well as
between the operatives on site and those in the operations
centre on land.1
Once the wind farm is operational, the safety of on-site
teams working many kilometres out to sea must continue to
be a priority. The distance involved and the challenges posed
by stormy weather conditions and high seas can pose a threat
to the efficient performance of turbines and blades. Any delay
during construction and interruption in ongoing operation is
likely to have severe commercial implications.
Wind farm owners and operators have been quick to
realise the benefits that can be delivered by digitalisation
and automation. Fast, accurate data collection relating
to the performance of the wind farms, and the use of that
data to improve asset management, are extremely positive
developments for operations working in this sphere.
The migration from VHF and Tetra to private wireless
networks represents a significant upgrade in this context.
Teams working to maintain the efficient operation of
turbines and blades now have more efficient and reliable
communication networks. The ability to monitor environmental
conditions such as vibration, temperature, and humidity is a
significant factor in the optimisation of operations, as well as
safety and security.
How private wireless networks deliver
performance enhancements
Although Wi-Fi has seen notable improvements in the wake
of the Wi-Fi 6 standard, private wireless networks represent a
significant step forward for industrial operators such as the
owners of wind farms. LTE/4G delivers extremely robust systems
with high reliability, low latency, and elevated security standards.
This makes private wireless a logical choice for an
installation such as a wind farm. LTE/4G technology can deliver
pervasive connectivity for the entire site – which can cover an
extremely large area of land or sea. In the case of offshore
wind farms, that coverage can be extended over the corridor
from the site to the port.
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 Given their efficacy in other challenging industrial
environments, it should be no surprise that private wireless
networks offer a considerable performance upgrade for wind
farm operators. Even as wind turbines grow in number and
capacity, and are deployed ever further from shore to meet
ever-increasing demand for energy, the suitability of reliable,
robust private wireless networks becomes ever more apparent.
Such networks can connect assets many kilometres apart
while facilitating the transfer of data with low latency and
high bandwidth. Private wireless antennae are installed on
the offshore platform, while data is transferred back to shore,
initially by a microwave radio link and then by an undersea
fibre optical cable. The microwave link is retained as a back-up
to ensure communication continues if there are any issues with
the cable.
Workers at the substation, turbines, or on service vessels
can access expert input from the shore via real-time video
calls. The enhanced connectivity also enables faster diagnosis
and repair of issues, as well as underpinning the health and
safety of those located at the site. Field technicians can, for the
first time, provide a clear picture from inside turbine structures
that enable operations staff to monitor conditions and effect
any repairs required.
Real-time analysis of robust data saves
time and money
The requirement for ever more robust solutions to match
the growth in size and number of increasingly remote wind
farms is unlikely to slacken any time soon. Operators of these
super-sized farms will be eager to keep maintenance windows
small and costs manageable, whilst still delivering optimal
performance and avoiding expensive technical hitches.
Private wireless networks represent a major stride
forward in providing the required connectivity to enable
enhanced remote monitoring capabilities beyond those
with existing SCADA networks. The application of smart
technology, such as AI, machine learning, and digital twins,
ensures the data collected remotely can be used to upgrade
maintenance programmes.
For instance, data can be analysed in real time and
compared with business-as-usual operations to highlight
any anomalies so that they can be addressed before any
equipment is damaged or any outages occur. An operative
can work in the nacelle of a turbine and, through a pair of
smart glasses, analyse a particular component while receiving
real-time data from the device.
However, the benefits delivered by private wireless
networks to the operators of offshore wind farms are not
restricted simply to costs and maintenance. They can also
deliver performance improvements in the turbines themselves.
A new generation of sensors and monitoring equipment is in
the pipeline, which will collect operational data that can in turn
be used to further optimise the performance of those assets.
With a private wireless network, it is possible to monitor
the turbine sensors several times each second and use the
collected data to highlight and address areas including
structural changes, acoustics, temperature, and even
lightning strikes.
14 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
A further significant consideration is the quality of life of the
staff who might spend several weeks at a time living on service
vessels far from shore. The private wireless network that covers
the wind farm and its associated corridor back to port should
also extend to those vessels, allowing those on board to
make video calls home, access the internet, and stream a TV
programme or movie.
Future-proofing for new and existing
installations
One of the most reassuring benefits of private wireless
networks is that they incorporate a significant degree of
future-proofing that will ensure the seamless integration
of new data collection, automation, and maintenance
capabilities. Evolution to 5G will be straightforward once the
use cases arise that necessitate such a switch.
As new wind farms are deployed, or as new turbines
are added to installations that already benefit from LTE/4G
efficiencies, they will be easily assimilated into the network.
That means maintenance work can be planned that uses
digital twins and AR technology to simulate scenarios and
alterations that can then be deployed in the real world.
Training of staff can also take place on site. New recruits get
the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the equipment
they will be working on, while experienced staff can refresh their
knowledge of existing turbines and other pieces of kit.
This leads on to another important consideration. Private
wireless networks are ideal, not only for new wind farms,
but for those that have been in place for some time. Their
presence addresses challenges when retrofitting older wind
turbines with a new generation of monitoring capabilities
by easily getting higher frequency data to applications and
users. Existing installations can be retro-fitted with the latest
technology to ensure that their owners and workers enjoy the
same enhancements in safety and performance – and that the
existing farms operate as efficiently as the newer facilities in
the same ownership.
Why a private wireless network is the
ideal solution for wind farms
The phrase ‘a perfect storm’ is unlikely to find much favour
with people who own, construct, and work on wind farms.
However, it describes perfectly the circumstances surrounding
such installations now and in the near future when it comes to
private wireless networks.
The remote location of wind farms – particularly in the case
of offshore sites – presents a challenge to operators who need
robust communications and an ultra-reliable delivery of data
that can be used to ensure optimal ongoing generation, as
well as the maintenance of high health and safety standards.
Utilising a robust, cutting-edge solution with LTE/4G and,
in the imminent future, 5G, ensures that such targets will be
met and exceeded through the use of this evolutionary and
revolutionary technology.2
References
1. ‘Renewable energy’, Nokia, (Accessed on 12/07/22).
2. Nokia, ‘Keeping Belgian North Sea wind farms connected’, Power Technology,
(October 2020).
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#FloatingWind22
 he solar market in the US has been continually ramping up over the last handful of years. According to the latest update
from the Solar Energy Industries Association, at the end of 1Q22, the US had installed enough solar photovoltaic (PV)
capacity to power 22 million American homes.1 Additionally, of all the new electricity-generating capacity added in the
first quarter, solar accounted for 50%.
Despite the impressive numbers, the solar market was not able to reach its full potential in 1Q22 due to an unexpected tariff
investigation on the import of solar cells and modules originating from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. This
uncertainty – along with increasing costs for materials, labour, and transportation – increased the overall capital cost of new
solar installations.
In June 2022, however, solar companies welcomed the federal government’s announcement of emergency measures to
increase critical supplies to US solar manufacturers, declaring a two-year tariff exemption on solar panels from Southeast Asia.

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 With this change, new solar projects can achieve the full-speed-ahead rate that the industry had previously been operating under
in the last few years, and can continue supporting the increased decarbonisation goals that are ramping up all over the country.

Widening the door for solar

Companies and investors are becoming more driven to support businesses that prioritise environmental, social, and governance
(ESG) opportunities. This new development is changing the way some companies with larger carbon footprints, such as oil and
gas companies, operate, and is expanding what they spend their time and energy on, such as renewable generation.
From cost savings and competitive options, to investment tax credits and attraction of investors, companies from all industries
are looking to expand their typical operations to include the integration of renewable generation assets. These renewable
projects can also offer carbon tax reductions that can help offset some emissions from the oil and gas facilities.

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er.

ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 17

 Although the benefits that can be gained from
implementing renewable sources such as solar are
clear, making the transition can be a little more complex
than it may seem. For example, heavy industrial and
manufacturing companies cannot rely on solar 24/7
because the sun is not always shining. This means these
companies would likely need to include dispatchable
sources to bridge those gaps when solar cannot
be utilised.
Creating solar project efficiencies
With the vast increase in interest surrounding new solar
projects, it is crucial that efficiencies are created that
can support fast and seamless implementation. With
some solar projects covering hundreds and sometimes
thousands of acres, efficiency is key.
Figure 1. Construction of Vistra’s 65 MWdc Brightside solar facility. Burns & McDonnell served
as the integrated EPC contractor for this project, which helped alleviate supply chain and
logistics challenges.
Figure 2. Solar projects are not just being constructed in warmer environments.
Burns & McDonnell is currently the EPC contractor for Wisconsin Power & Light’s solar
programme as they look to construct approximately 1100 MW/dc of solar in Wisconsin as part
of the company’s larger Clean Energy Blueprint.
18 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
There are many moving parts and pieces
involved in completing a successful solar project. For
example, a standard solar project can include site
selection, geotechnical investigation, pile design, pile
installation, pile corrosion design, underground cable
sizing, equipment selection, module installation, wire
management, construction, SCADA requirements,
and more.
As more solar projects are completed, tailored
applications and proficiencies can be used for the
repetitive actions involved in installing hundreds of PV
panels. Oftentimes, an engineering-led EPC team can help
utility owners navigate the challenges and difficult-to-meet
schedules involved in these projects.
Incorporating EPC and technology
Integrated EPC has a demonstrated track record for
improved safety, quality, cost control, and
schedule certainty. As of late, it is also
evolving to drive innovations in digital
technology applications applied to work
on solar project sites.
The engineering team often will
begin with a geospatial survey of the
topography, which is then loaded into
AutoCAD to build a comprehensive layout
with detailed locations of each pile.
From there, the team can utilise digital
instructions to set the bracket heights
for the piles, eliminating the need for the
typical lasers and string line processes.
Using integrated EPC and updated
digital technology applications can help
improve pile installation for solar projects
by reducing the amount of rework
needed, shaving time from the schedule
and reducing costs because fewer
workers are needed on site.
Additionally, one of the greatest
benefits of EPC combined with
innovative technology applications is the
improved communication throughout
the project. With the flexibility of EPC
contracting and the data at hand, the
construction and engineering teams
are enabled to collaborate and develop
solutions that are continually improving
project deliverables.
Keeping storage in mind
As both need and demand for solar
continue to increase, energy storage
systems are being installed to meet
electrical grid challenges that come with
an increase in renewable sources.
Solar and storage together are a very
powerful combination. This is in part
because storage can be used to better
allow solar to contribute to the power supply even when
the sun is not shining. Storage is also important in helping
to fill in the gaps as more baseload units start to retire.
There are many types of energy storage options
attracting attention in today’s market, including
lithium-ion batteries, redox flow batteries, hydrogen,
thermal, and LNG. The electric vehicle market continues to
be the driving force for lithium-ion technology advances
and market pricing. As the power industry evolves and
works toward meeting decarbonisation goals, storage
technologies – and solar – have enormous opportunities
for growth and utilisation on the horizon.
Putting solar panels into play
Alliant Energy, a public utility that provides power to
businesses and residents in Iowa and Wisconsin, the US,
hired Burns & McDonnell to provide EPC services for
its solar programme in Wisconsin. Alliant Energy’s
Clean Energy Blueprint programme was developed to help
accelerate the transition to renewable energy in Wisconsin.
In total, the programme involves 12 projects, with nine
of the 12 projects being executed by Burns & McDonnell.
The solar development programme is estimated to create
thousands of new construction jobs in the area, while
providing reliable energy for years to come.
For one of those projects – a 1200 acre, 150 MW solar
project in Wood County, Wisconsin – Burns & McDonnell
developed electrical designs and environmental studies for
permitting needs. Additionally, the firm created structural
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and civil designs for transmission and distribution power
lines, PV modules, and substations. The PV modules in the
solar panels are made up of silicon semi-conductors that
absorb sunlight and produce electric current.
As part of the project, AZCO, a Burns & McDonnell
subsidiary, is providing pile driving, equipment and
electrical installation, and steel fabrication services.
With the rareness of one firm providing the
full spectrum of services from start to finish,
Burns & McDonnell was able to keep this and other
projects within the programme on schedule despite
challenges involving the COVID-19 pandemic, market
volatility, and supply chain issues. The EPC approach
allowed the firm to utilise internal procurement,
installation, and commissioning experience and insights in
order to maintain and streamline processes.
Beyond the typical project responsibilities, such as
maintaining the timeline and staying on budget, the firm
was dedicated to building positive relationships with
members of the Wood County community. This includes
educational opportunities and tours for those who want to
learn more about the project and the overall programme.
Upon completion, the 12 Alliant Energy solar projects
will span nine Wisconsin counties and be able to generate
approximately 1100 MW of power, enough to serve nearly
300 000 homes.
References
1. ‘U.S. Solar Market Insight’, Solar Energy Industries Association, (June 2022).
 Martin Vogt, CEO, MPC Energy Solutions, the Netherlands, explores
how decarbonisation can help small island developing states achieve
energy independence, focusing specifically on solar photovoltaics and
battery energy storage systems.

20
 itigating climate change has become
a top priority for countries worldwide.
For those small island developing
states (SIDS) who are the most
exposed to climate change impacts, it constitutes a
requirement for survival. The intensifying weather
patterns present a climate emergency for these
most vulnerable of lands, as hurricanes, flooding,
landslides, and rising sea levels cause imminent
threats to infrastructure, communities, and
businesses. Although, on average, SIDS only
contribute 1.5% towards the world’s greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions, this vulnerability to climate is
galvanising SIDS’ governments to take action and
mitigate emissions and decarbonise, including
transitioning to cleaner energy generation.1
SIDS face a unique set of challenges, such as
being burdened by some of the world’s highest
energy costs, due to their remote locations.2 In
fact, this has contributed to them being among
the most indebted countries in the world.2 Many
islanders are also among the estimated 10% of the
global population that still does not have electricity,
due to the challenging topographies of their
homeland.3 Particularly in the Pacific Island nations,
approximately 7.5 million people live without access
to electricity.4
Additionally, despite being enriched with
renewable energy sources such as sunlight and
wind, SIDS are still heavily reliant on foreign oil
and gas imported from exporting nations to meet
growing power demands. Some islands already
possess a significant share of hydropower or solar
energy, such as Dominica, Papua New Guinea,
and Kiribati; however, across SIDS, fuel imports
constitute an average of 5 – 10% of their GDP.5 SIDS
spend over 30% of their foreign exchange earnings
per year on energy imports,6 which account for their
highest share of imports, and their transportation
and electricity generation is still almost completely
contingent on oil imports.7
During a global crisis (such as those caused
by the COVID-19 pandemic or the war in Ukraine),
this reliance on fuel imports makes SIDS even more
vulnerable to international supply chain disruption,
volatility in oil and gas prices, and access to reliable
supply. Furthermore, trade and business have
been disrupted, with the tourism sector upended,
productivity taking a hit, and, ultimately, causing
major losses across revenue streams.
When taken together, island nations’
decarbonisation efforts, rising global inflation,
potential disruptions to oil supplies, and exposure
to unstable fossil fuel prices all make it imperative
for SIDS to transition to green energy sources.
Breaking with legacy fuels and taking advantage
of solar power and energy storage systems
will provide greater energy independence and
continued sustainable development.
Decarbonising with solar
photovoltaics and battery energy
storage systems
Renewable energy sources across the Caribbean and
Pacific Island regions provide the potential to boost
decarbonisation and green energy investment. There
are clear, direct economic advantages to reducing
imported supplies of non-renewables, increasing the
role of solar photovoltaics (PV) in their energy mix
and successfully transitioning towards a net zero
emission future.
According to the policy institute climate analytics,
in the world’s sunniest regions, 1 MW of solar power
produces approximately 1.3 – 1.7 GWh/yr, with each
GWh replacing 1 GWh of oil-based energy, for which
250 000 l of fuel are required at a representative
cost of US$00.60/l. As a result, each 1 MW of solar
power installed saves approximately US$150 000/yr
throughout its minimum 25-year lifetime, compared
to fuel-based energy.5
Additionally, between 2010 and 2020, the clean
power industry reported a strong fall in overall
generation costs, with electricity costs from utility
scale solar PV decreasing by 85%.8 This means
renewables are now more cost-effective than the
cheapest fossil fuels, and the trend is expected to
continue. Despite the initial CAPEX costs of solar PV
infrastructure, the cost-benefit long-term analysis is
extremely favourable. As an example, the cheapest
source of power in Jamaica is a 51 MWp solar park.
This solar park sells its power at approximately
US$8.60/kWh, which is approximately 50 – 60%
cheaper than the average thermal generation costs
on the island. It is no surprise that Jamaica wants
to expand its renewable energy capacity from
approximately 120 MW today to 450 MW by 2025.
ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 21
 It is true that solar PV often cannot provide the level of
baseload capacity that fossil fuels can. Energy generation
from renewable sources can be unpredictable and output
can vary depending on the availability of natural resources.
In answer to this, variable energy sources can work in tandem
with battery storage, which with dispatchable technology
provides power stability by enabling the storage of excess
energy produced by intermittent sources. Battery energy
storage systems (BESS) can also increase renewables
capacity potential and help grid operators balance supply
with demand.
For the SIDS who struggle to secure universal energy
access, such decentralised clean energy systems can prove
a crucial ally to communities who live in remote locations
without access to energy from a centralised electric power
grid. Decentralised energy supply also usually means higher
resilience in the event of adverse weather, such as hurricanes.
Many Caribbean islands have storage projects in the
operation or planning stage. A ‘lighthouse’ project for the
Caribbean is currently underway in St. Kitts and Nevis. This
will become the first operational utility scale solar PV and
battery storage hybrid project in the region. The nation is
committed to diversifying energy generation away from the
94% of its electricity that comes from diesel. The small nation
has an ambitious drive to boost its current 6% from green
sources to one-third decarbonisation of the island’s energy
supply, achieved through a 35.7 MWp solar PV and 18.2 MW
BESS project.
The costs of battery storage have also seen a sharp
drop in recent years. Solar PV combined with storage is
already competitive with fossil fuel generation, considering
the high fuel costs and often outdated power generation
facilities in SIDS. BESS continues to hold major deployment
and cost-reduction potential. There are clear opportunities
for energy transition and investment in SIDS nations to be
capitalised on. The utility in St. Kitts will save approximately
25 – 30% of annual costs receiving and storing power from
its combined solar PV and battery project compared to the
diesel-fuelled generators used to date.
Cost-benefit conundrum
SIDS offer favourable conditions and considerable market
potential for solar PV and storage systems. This type of
hybrid project requires a detailed analysis of the application
case and is ultimately a tailor-made solution to meet the
Figure 1. CGI image of 35.6 MW solar energy plant and 44.2 MWh battery storage facility currently under development in the Basseterre Valley,
St. Kitts.
22 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
local requirements of the utility grid operator and regulator.
To create a win-win situation for all stakeholders, it may
be challenging to find the optimum balance between
their advantages and costs. Small states must consider a
competitive usage of limited land and the system’s cost.
It is also equally important to reflect upon the resilience
of their energy systems, grid stability, flexible power
production, and long-term planning. These are essential
to meet higher energy demand, as well as guaranteed
energy supply during events that change the typical
consumption behaviours.
Technology such as BESS can have significant initial
investment and infrastructure costs. Additionally, BESS
allows a significant percentage of variable but cost-free
natural resources such as sun, wind, or hydro to be
integrated into the grid.
Independent power producers (IPPs) can play an
important role in the deployment of hybrid systems. Across
the Caribbean, including Jamaica, Barbados, and the
Dominican Republic, the vast majority of renewable energy
assets are owned by IPPs who often have significant experience
in designing, financing, building, and operating renewable
energy and storage facilities in their portfolio. Therefore, they
offer economies of scale compared to standalone operations.
For instance, the lower costs of debt financing, insurance,
operations, maintenance, and asset management ultimately
reduce the power and storage costs, resulting in the lowest
possible levelised cost of energy (LCOE) and reduced prices for
the end consumer. Private sector investment also helps local
job creation and stronger community engagement.
Strengthening the regulatory environment
To create a favourable environment for hybrid energy
solutions in SIDS, it is also imperative to establish encouraging
market conditions for renewables or BESS as well as strong
government support. Strategic long-term planning is needed
here, including the formulation of clear roadmaps and stable,
long-term oriented regulatory frameworks that encourage
confidence among the private sector. Lifting regulatory
barriers will also free small, clean power developers to plan
and finance lasting projects.
Across SIDS, public-private partnerships are needed to
enable investors to deploy private sector capital in battery
system projects. This, paired with stable tax waiver policies,
such as VAT exemptions for the import of renewable
Figure 2. The 35.6 MW solar energy plant and 44.2 MWh battery storage facility currently under development in St. Kitts will be able to convert
intermittent renewable energy to baseload power through Leclanché’s energy management system (EMS).
energy systems, can offer great opportunities for IPPs looking
to capitalise on the islands’ energy transition.
There is significant potential for further investment in
the sector, which can be achieved by creating an attractive
environment for foreign investors. By doing this, governments
can lift the burden of public sector spending.
Crucially, clean energy empowers SIDS with greater
autonomy and self-reliance, meaning governments can vastly
reduce fossil fuel imports, thereby creating greater stability and
resilience for the island nations. The Cayman Islands provides
a fine example of opening new tenders through a recent
auction scheme to stimulate an investment wave in solar and
wind power production over the next 10 years. This is angled
toward the islands achieving carbon neutrality and meeting a
target of 70% of renewable energy by 2037.
Local opinion matters
The support and involvement of local communities is also
absolutely essential to ensure the continued sustainable
development of SIDS. In the path to a low-emission and
climate-resilient future, decarbonisation provides a pathway to
greater self-determination and freedom from the vulnerabilities
of foreign-owned oil and gas. Conversely, it may be daunting
and politically challenging to rely on a renewable energy
system managed by foreign parties.
Private sector investors must therefore provide a
compelling case for further investment into projects. They
can achieve this by demonstrating how sustainable energy
for all cannot only help combat climate change and promote
sustainable development, but also provide a better standard
of living by creating economic opportunities and eradicating
poverty. A dialogue with the island public is essential, and
priority should be given to transparency through, for example,
public consultations, workshops, and training.
With a holistic approach, renewable energy projects
are able to power entire island communities, aiding their
transformation, reducing their overall carbon footprint, and
sending a strong signal to the world that a zero-carbon future
is possible.
References
1. ‘Climate change, small island developing States,’
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, (2005).
2. FEINSTEIN, C., ‘SIDS – Towards a Sustainable Energy Future,’
World Bank Group, (June 2014).
3. ‘SDG7: Data and Projections – Access to electricity,’
International Energy Agency, (2022).
4. CAVANOUGH, E., ‘Islands of Opportunity: Stepping Up to the Pacific’s
Energy Challenge,’ The McKell Institute, (May 2019).
5. ATTARD, M-C., BRECHA, R., FYSON, C., KIM, J., SINDT, J., FULLER, F., and
JONES, D., ‘Long-term strategies in SIDS: blueprints for decarbonised and
resilient 1.5˚C compatible economies,’ Climate Analytics, (May 2021).
6. ASARIOTIS, R., ‘Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation for Coastal
Transport Infrastructure in Caribbean SIDS – Background and introduction
of the project objectives and context,’ UNCTAD National Workshop
Jamaica, (June 2017).
7. MEAD, L., ‘Small Islands, Large Oceans: Voices on the Frontlines of Climate
Change,’ International Institute for Sustainable Development, (March 2021).
8. ‘Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2020,’ International Renewable
Energy Agency, (2021).
ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 23
24 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
 Jeff Damron, Wärtsilä’s Energy Storage &
Optimisation Business, USA, details how
renewable energy sources work more effectively
when in tandem with energy storage systems.

he growth of intermittent renewable energy across the
globe has necessitated the deployment of energy storage
technologies to fully replace fossil fuels with clean,
dispatchable, and reliable power. According to IHS Markit,
the share of co-located onshore wind, solar, and energy storage
is projected to increase from 14% in 2021 to 35% by 2030 across the
globe. Co-located systems combine two or more energy assets,
a grid connection, land, substation, and power electronics, as
well as permitting procedures, operations, and maintenance
work. This set-up can provide several operational and financial
advantages for asset owners while accelerating renewables
deployment and improving grid stability.
The untapped value of co-location
Developers in markets with high shares of wind and solar in the
power mix can benefit from the additional revenue streams
afforded by co-location. Capture prices for renewable energy are
expected to decrease significantly as capacity grows, meaning
that the price captured on the market by solar or onshore wind
generators is eroded over time. The term ‘capture price’ relates to
the actual electricity price achieved by a generator in the market,
as compared to the wholesale price. Co-location mitigates this
price cannibalisation, as energy storage allows asset owners
to sell power during high-value peak periods and get paid for
performing ancillary grid services.

25
 This can be seen in Germany, where capture prices for
standalone solar assets are expected to fall by 73% between
2022 and 2030, according to IHS Markit. Energy storage systems
can help to recoup losses. For example, a 22 MW storage facility
developed by Enel Green Power, ENERTRAG AG, Leclanché, and
Wärtsilä in Cremzow, Germany, provides frequency regulation,
energy arbitrage, and reactive power services.
As demand for clean energy 24 hours a day increases,
many of the world’s top renewables developers are pursuing
hybrid developments as a key competitive advantage. Hybrid
plants lower the risk of underperformance because output is not
limited to a single generation source. This offers a future-proofed
investment that is better equipped to handle market changes
and could result in additional financing for the energy transition.
Co-location can also help accelerate the deployment
of renewable assets in markets with land-use constraints
and high grid connection costs. This is the case in the US,
where there is a 1300 GW backlog of clean energy projects
awaiting interconnection to transmission grids.1 Since 2015,
interconnection upgrade costs have grown from approximately
10% of project costs to between 50 – 100%.2 Developers can save
up to 10% of balance-of-system costs compared to standalone
projects, according to analysis by IHS Markit, by leveraging
synergies across grid connection, land acquisition, and materials
procurement. Co-location increases the utilisation of a single
point of grid connection, which is a more efficient use of existing
infrastructure – especially in places that desperately need more
transmission and distribution investment.
Solar and wind facilities can be co-located with energy
storage as new-builds or added retroactively. For example,
Figure 1. 2 GWh energy storage portfolio: California’s (USA) biggest hybrid renewables-plus-storage project under construction, as the first large
scale systems in Hawaii, USA, reach final deployment.
26 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
Wärtsilä and Clearway Energy Group are developing two new
solar-plus-storage facilities in San Bernardino, California, the US,
totalling 482 MW of solar and 275 MW/1.1 GWh of energy storage.
Combined, they will be among the largest solar-plus-storage
facilities in the world. At the same time, Wärtsilä is retroactively
connecting a 147 MW/588 MWh energy storage system to one of
Clearway’s operating solar facilities in Kern County, California.
Repowering existing wind plants, the process of replacing
older turbines with newer ones also presents an opportunity
to retroactively co-locate storage. IHS Markit predicts
approximately 21.7 GW of wind capacity is expected to be
repowered in the US and Europe. Advancements in turbine
technology has allowed for the use of fewer turbines or smaller
turbines to generate equivalent or even greater capacity than
that of the original wind farm. This can reduce the amount of
space needed for the wind farm, freeing up already permitted
areas for more renewable energy assets.
Co-located configurations are also particularly attractive
for islands and off-grid energy systems, such as remote
mining, which typically rely on imported fuels, such as oil or
diesel, for power generation. Last year, the members of the
International Council on Mining and Metals, which consists of
28 top global mining companies, announced plans to achieve
net zero emissions from mining operations by 2050. Employing
renewables and storage can significantly reduce greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions while supplying a more stable source
of electricity.
Independent power producer Zenith Energy demonstrated
this approach in Australia, one of the world’s largest markets
to produce mining materials. The company is leveraging
a 9.2 MW/8.7 MWh energy storage system to decarbonise
operations for mining companies. Adding storage saves the
existing dual fuel engine power plant from frequent ramping by
managing the power fluctuations of the mining site, therefore
improving the operational efficiency, reducing fuel costs, and
lowering the mine’s carbon footprint.
Many islands, such as Hawaii, the US, have dramatically
increased their share of renewable energy to achieve
decarbonisation targets and lower costs of fuel imports. As of
2018, Hawaii meets 28% of its energy demand from renewable
energy. Energy storage will play a key role in balancing the
power system in Hawaii and maximising the value of renewable
resources. The island of Oahu welcomed its first large scale
solar-plus-storage facilities this summer and will bring on a
second by the end of the year to ensure reliable delivery of
electricity and contribute to Hawaii’s goal of 100% renewable
energy by 2045.
Expanding storage co-location globally
Cumulative installations of co-located wind, solar, and storage
hybrid capacity is expected to reach 560 GW across eight
key markets between 2021 and 2030, based on research
by IHS Markit. In each market, there are more planned
solar-plus-storage projects than wind-plus-storage. For example,
of the 365 GW of hybrid renewables that will be installed in
mainland China, 24% are solar-plus-storage and 10% are
wind-plus-storage. In the US, wind-plus-storage only represents
4% of total planned hybrid renewable installations, whereas
solar-plus-storage represents 67%.
Although wind-plus-storage facilities offer similar benefits,
deployment thus far has been significantly lower than
solar-plus-storage. One reason for this disparity is the difference
in intermittency levels between solar and wind power. Wind
generation has greater variability in output and does not follow
predictable patterns like solar – since the sun rises and sets each
day. Wind plants face longer periods of low or no production
that are not always easy to forecast. The amount of energy
that must be stored and shifted from a wind plant to offer an
economic use of energy storage is high, given the longer periods
of low production and the fact that wind plants are typically
most productive during off-peak hours.
Regulatory policy and market frameworks also play an
important role in ensuring the maximum value and benefit
of hybrid plants. In the US, for example, most wind facilities
take advantage of the federal production tax credit (PTC), a
per-kilowatt hour (kWh) credit for electricity generated by eligible
renewable sources. The US also offers an investment tax credit
(ITC) for renewable energy projects which reduce upfront costs.
Developers can claim the ITC for energy storage projects that are
co-located with wind and solar. But developers cannot claim both,
and the PTC is almost always more lucrative for wind projects.
This explains why 63% of storage capacity planned to come online
from 2021 to 2024 in the US will be paired with solar.3
The PTC was phased out at the end of 2021, which would have
made adding energy storage more attractive to wind developers
for its ability to participate in competitive markets and generate
additional sources of revenue. But under the new Inflation
Reduction Act, the PTC has been extended to renewable projects
beginning construction before 1 January 2025. It also increased
the ITC from 26 to 30%, and its definition has been expanded
to include standalone energy storage projects for the first time.
The revamped tax incentives will certainly accelerate overall
renewables and energy storage deployments, but it remains to be
seen how they will reshape the make-up of hybrid projects.
Developers and integrators have uncovered new ways to
improve the design of co-located facilities in response to growing
popularity. For example, increasingly solar-plus-storage projects
are DC-coupled instead of AC-coupled. In an AC-coupled system,
the battery system and solar plant are connected to separate
inverters in parallel. In a DC-coupled system, solar generation
flows directly to the battery via a DC/DC converter. Reducing
the number of AC/DC conversions makes DC-coupled systems
approximately 3% more efficient than AC-coupled systems.
However, AC-coupling allows for more market revenue flexibility
since the storage system can be used directly for market-bidding
if not needed for the solar plant. This same trend is not being seen
towards DC-coupling with wind assets and energy storage, likely
because wind turbines naturally produce an alternating current.
Still, innovative developers are steadily making headway with
co-located wind and storage developments. Enel Green Power
recently completed its first large scale hybrid wind project called
Azure Sky in Texas, the US, which consists of 350 MW of wind
capacity and 137 MW/205 MWh of battery storage capacity
provided by Wärtsilä. Enel plans to develop a total of 12 battery
facilities in Texas totalling 1290 MWh of storage capacity by
early 2023.
Reinforcing the importance of software
Co-location reinforces the need for sophisticated software to
seamlessly integrate and manage multiple types of renewable
assets. Energy management software plays a key role in the
successful management of hybrid renewable-plus-storage
facilities. Wärtsilä’s sophisticated GEMS Digital Energy Platform
monitors, controls, and optimises individual resources and entire
fleets, including energy storage technology, renewables, and
balancing thermal generation assets.
Software is needed to oversee and control hybrid plant
functions in optimised ways to maximise the value of the facility.
Plus, as developers seek to stack multiple revenue streams
with hybrid facilities, software can navigate dynamic market
operations according to objectives, portfolio constraints, market
trends, and uncertainties.
It is expected that there will be additional innovative
applications of GEMS as more developers discover the benefits of
energy storage co-location and hybrid renewable-plus-storage
systems. Wärtsilä continues to share these learnings with power
producers and developers to highlight the role of energy storage in
the transition to a 100% renewable energy system.
References
1. ‘Record Amounts of Zero-carbon Electricity Generation and Storage Now
Seeking Grid Interconnection’, Berkeley Lab, (April 2022).
2. CASPARY, J., GOGGIN, M., GRAMLICH, R., and SCHNEIDER, J.,
‘Disconnected: The Need for a New Generator Interconnection Policy’,
Americans for a Clean Energy Grid, (January 2021).
3. LINGA, V., ‘Most planned U.S. battery storage additions in next three years to be
paired with solar’, U.S. Energy Information Administration, (September 2021).
ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 27
28 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
 Matt Roberts, Director of Renewable Projects, Emerson, USA,
outlines the importance of energy storage within the renewable
energy industry, highlighting the ways in which energy management can
be made more efficient in order to maximise performance and profitability.

he energy landscape is changing as governments
and businesses alike work toward ambitious
sustainability goals, including net zero. A
December 2021 International Energy Agency (IEA) report
titled Renewables 2021: Analysis and Forecast to 2026 bears this
out, predicting renewables will comprise approximately 95% of the
increase in global power capacity through 2026.1
But producing energy only when the sun shines, the water
flows, and the wind blows is simply not enough. The world’s
increasing reliance on renewables comes with new challenges
inherent when working with intermittent power sources, bringing
into sharp focus the need for energy storage solutions, such as
green hydrogen and utility scale lithium-ion batteries, that can
turn variable sources into reliable, dispatchable generation.
Consider this:
F Adding battery energy storage to wind and solar photovoltaic
(PV) allows variable clean energy to be utilised during
off-hours, providing greater value.
F Adding battery energy storage to run-of-the-river hydropower
plants creates ‘virtual reservoirs’ that can act like conventional
hydropower plants to provide baseload stability, or even a
microgrid that supports local sustainability and power needs
during blackouts.
F Short- and long-duration storage of green hydrogen
derived from purely renewable sources enables dispatch
of the gas when required to generate clean electricity from
hydrogen-fuelled turbines.
BloombergNEF predicts that the global energy storage market
is set to hit 1 TWh by 2030, with the US and China leading with over
half of the global installations by the end of this decade.2 Energy
storage installations around the world will reach a cumulative
358 GW/1028 GWh by the end of 2030, more than 20 times larger
than what was online by the end of 2020.
The projected growth of the global hydrogen energy storage
market is just as staggering, reaching US$119.2 billion by 2027
according to the latest MarketsandMarkets research report.3
Commercialisation of power-to-gas technologies is the next big
thing, adding flexibility to energy systems and allowing efficient
integration of unstable renewables in the energy markets.
With so much at stake, from standalone energy storage
systems to hybrid applications that include solar, wind, hydropower,
and green hydrogen, green energy power producers are looking
for ways to better manage storage operations. The foundation
for better management lies in a solution that centralises and
integrates critical information to provide full operational visibility
across all assets, thereby making it possible to achieve increased
performance, improved efficiency, and reduced costs.

29
 Maximising performance and profitability
The gathering, contextualising, and secure delivery of real-time
and historical asset data to key stakeholders provides accurate,
actionable intelligence that enables better decision-making and
higher revenues.
A closer look at battery energy storage reveals the many
ways that energy management software and technologies can
contribute to maximising performance and profitability.
FFEnergy arbitrage: Automatically scheduling the battery energy
storage system (BESS) to charge during low-cost periods and
Figure 1. A single platform integrates many data sources across
an entire renewable portfolio, enabling efficient asset management
that optimises the operational dispatch of generation and
storage capacity.
Figure 2. Battery energy management systems benefit multiple
stakeholders by maximising performance and profitability.
Figure 3. Applying a defense-in-depth approach to cybersecurity
protects energy storage and renewable generation infrastructure
without disrupting operations.
30 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
discharge at high-price times optimises energy arbitrage and
maximises revenue.
FFLoad-levelling: Efficiently co-ordinating the dispatch of
battery-stored energy reduces the load on peak-generating
sources by directing the battery management system to
charge and store power during periods of excess generation,
and discharge or deliver the power during periods of
excess demand.
FFGrid stability: Using battery storage for grid services such
as frequency response and voltage regulation contributes
to grid stability, as it makes it possible to quickly respond to
short-term imbalances in supply and demand using active
(frequency) or reactive (voltage) control.
FFReserves: Deploying emission-free battery storage as a form
of spinning, non-spinning, or supplemental reserves makes it
possible to maintain reliable power system operations. Close
monitoring of the state-of-charge confirms dispatch readiness
to quickly deliver stored power in response to contingency
events, such as an outage, or during periods of high demand.
FFBlack start/back-up power: Using on-site battery energy
enables power generators to avoid fuel costs and emissions
from conventional black-start generators. Furthermore,
on-site battery energy makes it possible to quickly energise
generating assets or use stored power to avoid costly
disruptions and continue normal operations after a
system-wide failure or blackout.
Single platform, multiple benefits
Efficient management of generating and storage assets, each with
different software and control systems servicing a variety of original
equipment manufacturer (OEM) equipment, is challenging. A
solution lies in adopting a single OEM-independent comprehensive
digital foundation with the ability to integrate many data sources
into one system.
The use of one platform eliminates data silos, enabling efficient
asset management that optimises the operational dispatch of
generation and storage capacity to meet load across bulk power
systems. This platform eliminates complexity and risk by serving
as an integrated source for capturing and placing into context
the massive amounts of data generated from embedded control
and monitoring applications or third-party software and systems.
This translates into greater visibility through a single, unified view
of all operations that reduce costs while optimising the financial
and energy performance across an entire renewable portfolio.
Furthermore, this approach provides a pathway to easily and
cost-effectively add innovative software for future applications such
as remote operations or data analytics.
Organisations, such as Burns & McDonnell, understand the
benefits of an integrated digital foundation. The company recently
completed the construction of three lithium-ion BESS to provide
support for the Texas, the US, power grid. Emerson’s automation
technology was selected to monitor and control the three energy
storage projects, which deliver 60 MWh of capacity. According
to a news release issued by Burns & McDonnell, the software
 increases visibility into battery operations and simplifies system
management, allowing the owner/operator to view, optimise,
and modify the controls even years after commissioning if system
requirements change.4
Additionally, Mitsubishi Power America’s Advanced Clean
Energy Storage hub will leverage an integrated digital automation
stack to ensure safe and reliable generation, storage, and
transmittal of green energy.5 The first-of-its-kind facility will use
a common control and safety platform for the end-to-end
process of producing green hydrogen, storing it in salt caverns
and dispatching the fuel when needed to the nearby 840 MW
Intermountain Power Project (IPP Renewed).
There are a number of digital solutions using advanced
software and technologies that enable seamless visualisation and
actionable insights.
Predictive analytics is integral to realising the promise of efficient
and enlightened energy management, as it enables immediate
resolution of impending process or equipment anomalies to avoid
downtime or catastrophic damage, and enhances operator
situational awareness and decision making. Expert rules, complex
modelling, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning work
together to alert and guide operators to take immediate, specific
action, dispatch maintenance personnel with the correct equipment
for replacement, or direct the control system to automatically make
corrective changes.
Remote, real-time access to operations is more critical than ever
with the increase of geographically dispersed and often unmanned
renewable and distributed energy resources. With remote
capabilities, power generators can securely access data remotely,
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gain faster and more precise responses to critical issues, and
proactively address maintenance issues to minimise costs and
improve the safety of their teams.
And of course, no discussion about power generation would
be complete without mentioning cybersecurity. For energy
management systems, it is vital to use a depth-in-defence approach
to cybersecurity that protects critical infrastructure without
disrupting the controlled processes.
Conclusion
The growing integration of renewables with traditional energy
sources is reinventing the power business model and infrastructure.
As utilities continue diversifying their energy portfolios, they are
looking to energy storage systems to turn intermittent energy into
reliable, dispatchable power. Using automation software that
provides full operational visibility across all assets enables utilities to
stay competitive, keep the public safe, and maintain grid stability.
References
1. ‘Renewables 2021: Analysis and forecasts to 2026,’ International Energy Agency,
(December 2021).
2. ‘Global Energy Storage Market Set to Hit One Terawatt-Hour by 2030,’
BloombergNEF, (November 2021).
3. ‘Hydrogen Energy Storage Market by State (Gas, Liquid, Solid), Technology
(Compression, Liquefaction, Material Based), Application (Stationary
Power, Transportation), End User (Electric Utilities, Industrial, Commercial),
Region – Global Forecast to 2027,’ MarketsandMarkets, (June 2022).
4. ‘Burns & McDonnell Completes Construction of Three West Texas Energy Storage
Projects Delivering 60 MWh of Capacity,’ Burns & McDonnell, (January 2022).
5. ‘Mitsubishi Power Selects Emerson Software and Technologies for Advanced
Clean Energy Storage Hydrogen Hub,’ Emerson, (July 2022).
For more information, please contact:
ben.macleod@energyglobal.com
 Michael Ducker, Senior Vice President and Head of H
Mitsubishi Power Americas, USA, details how combinin

f electric grids are to meet societal needs and phase out
carbon by 2050, they will need to take on a diverse
approach to energy storage. That is according to a
study published last month by MIT researchers, who go
on to note that integrating those diverse options will enable
grids to absorb the burgeoning power generated by
renewable sources, many of which deliver variable real-time
supply.1 The researchers add that incorporating diverse
storage options can also benefit grid flexibility
and resiliency.

32 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022

Hydrogen Infrastructure, and Tom Cornell, Senior Vice President for Energy Storage Solutions,
ng centralised and decentralised energy storage will help future-proof electric grids.

Energy storage allows for “cost-effective deep
decarbonisation of electric power systems that rely heavily
on wind and solar generation,” the authors write.1 And it
does so without sacrificing system reliability – which is to
say, rolling brownouts when the neighbourhood heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) outstrips
prevailing supply.
The world is encountering a Cambrian proliferation
of energy storage technologies. On one side are large,
centralised energy storage facilities, in particular,

33
 green hydrogen hubs which will store energy for days,
weeks, or even seasons. On the other are decentralised
forms of storage, namely batteries, which are often
co-located with renewables or are located closer to the
point of use. Combining the two could promise a future grid
that is robust, stable, and resilient, especially as wind and
solar integration accelerates.
Projects underway in Southern California and central
Utah, the US, are already offering a glimpse into how a
combination of centralised and decentralised storage will
enable the post-carbon grid of the future.
The curtailment conundrum
The rise of renewable energy amid growing electricity
demand makes it essential to develop energy
storage systems with ever greater size, flexibility, and
responsiveness. For one, the rise in power generation from
wind and solar – two sources whose real-time productivity
hinges on weather conditions – greatly amplifies the
intermittency challenge for grid operators.
Solar is being put everywhere: behind the meter, in front
of the meter, on rooftops, and available flat land. This is
Figure 1. The future grid, which leverages centralised and decentralised clean-energy
storage.
Figure 2. Recent curtailments of solar and wind power in the California Independent System
Operator (CAISO) region.
34 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
going to have a huge, dramatic effect on the grid, and is
also going to drive greater curtailment of solar electricity.
In California, at just 30% renewable integration, there
is so much renewables overproduced in the winter and
spring months that we’re shutting down these carbon-free
resources in massive quantities. Meanwhile, there have been
energy shortages in the summer and fall months where
people have had to rely on carbon intensive resources to
keep the grid from blackout conditions. The solution to this
involves shifting carbon-free over-generation to seasons
which are typically relying today on carbon intensive
resources to keep a stable grid.
In 2020 alone, the California Independent System
Operator (CAISO) curtailed 1.5 million MWh of its utility
scale solar production, equivalent to 5% of total utility
scale solar generation.2 Operators have added renewables
at a furious pace since then – and not just in California.
Solar and wind accounted for approximately 90% of new
electric generating capacity across the US in 2021 and in
1Q22,3 and the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects
that renewables will account for approximately 95% of the
increase in global power capacity through 2026. All told,
the IEA expects grids to add 50% more
renewable capacity between 2021 – 2026
than it did in 2015 – 2020.
Curtailment of renewables is the most
obvious manifestation of the intermittency
problem. The most compelling solution to
manage intermittency while meeting rising
electricity demand is to integrate a variety
of storage technologies into the grid – and
it is a process that is already underway.
A new framework for
thinking about energy
storage
Storage options are often categorised as
short duration (for example, batteries)
or long duration (such as green
hydrogen). Batteries today generally
offer 4 – 6 hrs of electricity at maximum
draw, although technological
advances are likely to increase their
duration rapidly in the coming years.
By contrast, hydrogen’s ability to
continue producing electricity is limited
only by the volumes of the storage
facilities that hold it.
Duration is a key consideration,
but characterising storage options
based primarily on that characteristic
obscures important, potentially
complementary distinctions. Storage
technologies differ in other critical
ways as well: reaction time, location,
infrastructure, investment required,
degradation, digital automation
capability, security, and more.
Global Publication

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 It may be more useful to characterise storage as
centralised or decentralised rather than long or short
duration. This distinction better captures the range of
characteristics available among storage technologies and
relevant for grid operators as they weave centralised and
decentralised energy sources into cohesive networks that are
resilient, flexible, responsive, and valuable.
Centralised energy storage
Hydrogen, for example, can be used as a primary centralised
storage option for renewable energy. Global demand for
green hydrogen – hydrogen produced using electrolysis
powered by renewables – is projected to grow 50% over the
next decade.4
Renewable energy is variable; when the sun shines or the
wind blows cannot be predicted. At very large penetrations
of renewables, this variability moves beyond daily imbalances
into seasonal imbalances. When hydrogen is used to help
store that energy, it can be shifted over greater time horizons.
Figure 3. A rendering of salt caverns in the Advanced Clean Energy Storage project. The
project is expected to be the world’s largest industrial production and storage facility for
green hydrogen.
Figure 4. The key differences between battery and hydrogen storage.
36 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
With the increase in variable production from renewables,
generation will exceed demand more frequently and by
greater amounts. Rather than curtailing the excess, power
systems can use it to produce hydrogen at virtually no
incremental cost, transforming curtailment from underutilised
to an opportunity.
Moreover, centralised hydrogen storage can capitalise
on existing energy infrastructure to store, use, and transport
the gas, helping manage the cost of scaling up. Consider
the Advanced Clean Energy Storage hub currently under
construction in Delta, Utah, the US.5 This joint venture by
Mitsubishi Power and Magnum Development will produce
green hydrogen and store it in enormous salt caverns.
The hub is designed to initially use 220 MW of electrolysers
that convert renewable energy into 100 tpd of green
hydrogen. With capacity to scale up to 100 salt caverns, the
initial two-cavern facility will initially store the equivalent
of more than 9 million bbl of hydrogen, or approximately
300 GWh of storage capacity, making it the world’s largest
single storage site for hydrogen.
Adjacent to the hub is the Intermountain
Power Agency’s IPP renewed project, a retiring
coal plant that is being replaced with an
840 MW, combined-cycle power plant with
two M501JAC gas turbines which will run on a
blend of 30% green hydrogen and 70% natural
gas starting in 2025 and 100% green hydrogen
by 2045.
Centralised storage with hydrogen offers a
range of benefits:
F Volume: The quantity of storage
possible with hydrogen is unmatched by
other options.
F Economies of scale: Centralised hubs’
large size creates efficiencies that can
bring down costs. For example, one
facility with 100 MW of electrolysers
would produce the same amount of
hydrogen using one transformer as five
facilities at 20 MW apiece, but the latter
group would need five transformers. The
Advanced Clean Energy Storage hub is
expected to help cities in the Western
US achieve 100% carbon-free targets at
20% lower cost for the overall system
than if they did not have centralised
energy storage.
F Long-term viability: Hydrogen stored in
salt caverns has minimal losses and does
not degrade over time, enabling long
duration, seasonal storage.
F Sector coupling: Storing, using, and
transporting hydrogen at scale will enable
progress in other hard-to-decarbonise
 industries, such as transportation, cement, and steel. Mitsubishi Power is also seeing increasing demand for
Hydrogen is needed not just to decarbonise power, but to such projects in Latin America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and
decarbonise the hard-to-abate sectors.
FFFlexibility: Scaled integration of storage, transport,
generation, and transmission systems gives operators the
latitude to use hydrogen in ways that deliver the greatest
value with the greatest impact.
Decentralised energy storage
Solar and wind power are proliferating. 15 US states have
1500 or more solar installations, with Florida (9000), Texas
(14 000) and California (more than 35 000) leading the way.3
New solar installations increasingly come with batteries:
nearly one in three behind-the-meter solar systems are
expected to pair with battery storage by 2025,3 compared
to fewer than one in nine in 2021. For their part, utilities have
commissioned or announced combined solar and storage
projects representing more than 50 GWh of storage capacity.
Bloomberg reports that battery power now makes up 6%
of California’s maximum on-peak capacity, or 60 times what
it did in 2017.6 Batteries’ contribution to maximum on-peak
capacity now exceeds both wind’s and nuclear’s.
Last year was a breakout year for the sector, to prove
that on a utility scale basis, battery storage is a viable,
resilient, and dependable source of energy.7 If you look at the
transmission queues in all regions of the US, they are getting
saturated with battery energy storage projects. For example,
Texas’ battery installations could rise from approximately
2300 MW to more than 7000 MW by next June, according
to Bloomberg.
Figure 5. A rendering of Mitsubishi Power’s Emerald storage solutions, a system to store battery energy.
Japan, and expects the utility scale battery market to double
in 2022 and again in 2023.
These decentralised options offer distinct, complementary
qualities relative to centralised storage. They have smaller
footprints and fewer constraints on their locations, so they
can often reside near end users to reduce transmission and
infrastructure costs. Moreover, geographic dispersion can
bolster resilience by enabling grid operators to overcome
problems in a subset of locations.
Batteries offer a reaction time that is measurable
in milliseconds. That quality, combined with the
ability to locate near end-users, makes them ideal for
fast-frequency response. Indeed, Mitsubishi Power has
installed several battery systems for just that reason for the
Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Alternatively, batteries can
be geared for peak applications, time shifting, and energy
arbitrage. They can maximise value by managing charging
and discharging in increasingly sophisticated ways.
Much as centralised storage offers cross-pollination
with heavy industry, decentralised storage benefits from
synergies with the electric-vehicle (EV) market. EV batteries
are replaced after they lose 20% of their original peak
capacity. These batteries can be repurposed for usage
on the grid, where modest degradations in peak storage
are more manageable. Likewise, automakers’ intense
focus on improving battery technology has tripled the
rated energy for mass-market EVs in roughly a decade.
Those breakthroughs, in turn, stand to benefit utility scale
battery users.
ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 37
 And grid storage is not constrained by some of the
limitations that challenge EV battery technology, particularly
the need to minimise weight and size. As a result, grids
may be able to employ battery technologies that are
not suitable for electric vehicles. This point of distinction
may prove valuable if certain components of EV
batteries, such as cobalt, become scarce due to product
demand or geopolitics.
Decentralised storage with batteries offers a range
of benefits:
FFRenewables integration: Batteries, due to the smaller
size, can be co-located with renewable energy to reduce
curtailments and located where the storage is needed.
FFGrid resiliency: Able to provide electricity quickly at the
point needed, preventing supply disruption or congestion
in transmission.
FFFast response: Sub-zero second response time to respond
to fluctuations in grid frequency.
FFMicrogrids: Allows for the islanding or to disconnect from
the larger network grid as needed and powering a smaller
network using storage reserves. Often in the event of an
unplanned outage for critical infrastructure systems.
FFFlexibility: Batteries can provide peak shaving to offset
energy demand during peak periods and shift energy
loads by charging when electricity costs are low and
discharging when costs are high.
For example, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) used
to employ a distributed backup system of turbines that
ran on simple-cycle gas, quick-start natural gas, or oil. The
company has replaced such generation with five battery
energy storage systems (BESS), making it a leader in battery
usage among US utilities. San Diego’s sunny climate – with
266 sunny days per year,8 30% above the US average –
contributes to relatively high levels of solar curtailment.
SDG&E now uses this excess electricity to charge its batteries,
which it charges and discharges strategically to maximise
their value and manage interruptions of up to 4 – 6 hrs. As
battery storage proliferates, SDG&E will be able to adapt to a
hitch in the distribution or transmission system by switching
in real time from one battery to another nearby.
Once energy starts being stored at a massive scale,
there is going to be the ability to move power in a lot of
different directions.
Integrating complementary storage
technologies into the grid of the future
The integration of centralised and decentralised storage
is starting to take shape in California. Battery systems are
mushrooming around the state, piggybacking on the rise
of solar power and EVs, and utilities such as SDG&E are
using curtailed generation to charge a distributed network
of battery-energy storage. Meanwhile, the Utah hydrogen
38 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
facility is beginning to create longer-term green storage to
decarbonise the majority of the Western US.
This evolution will accelerate over time in California and
elsewhere as batteries become ubiquitous, green hydrogen
production ramps up, and power turbines are converted to
run on the zero-carbon fuel that is stored. Such conversions
are already underway: Mitsubishi Power, Georgia Power,
and the Electric Power Research Institute recently validated
blending 20% (by volume) hydrogen fuel with natural gas to
power an advanced-class gas turbine in Smyrna, Georgia,
the US, at both full and partial load.9 Importantly, they were
the first partners to do this on an advanced-class turbine.
The rise in complementary storage systems will present a
continuous stream of opportunities for energy arbitrage. With
options tailored to the situation, grid operators will be able to
store energy to discharge at high-value times that may last
seconds, minutes, hours, days, or even seasons.
Hydrogen can store green energy over longer time frames
than lithium-ion batteries, which can do that more effectively
on shorter time horizons. The two of these technologies
together are a perfect match to help more widely integrate
renewable energy onto the grid.
The challenge remaining
Integration remains the biggest challenge. It could well
become a decades-long endeavour between public and
private partnerships to incorporate this diversity of storage
with the transmission infrastructure. But the resulting
overhaul could create a cohesive, smoothly functioning grid
that can respond to demand in real time, maximise efficiency,
and guarantee resilience, especially since system operations
pose the most difficult challenge.
Stakeholders throughout the power industry will
need to collaborate more vigorously than ever to build a
smooth-functioning system.
Ultimately, the resulting grid will look very different than it
does today. It will be more resilient, adaptive, and consistent.
It will be more reliable and efficient, too. Most importantly, it
will be carbon-free.
References
1. ‘The Future of Energy Storage: An Interdisciplinary MIT Study’,
MIT Energy Initiative, (June 2022).
2. ANITI, L., ‘California’s curtailments of solar electricity generation
continue to increase’, U.S. Energy Information Administration, (August
2021).
3. ‘Solar Industry Research Data’, Solar Energy Industries Association.
4. ‘CEO Coaltion to COP26 Leaders: Hydrogen to Contribute over
20% of Global Carbon Abatement by 2050 – Strong Public-Private
Collaboration Required to Make it a Reality’, Hydrogen Council,
(November 2021).
5. ACES Delta, aces-delta.com
6. BULLARD, N., ‘Batteries Are Already Helping Power Grids Weather a
Hotter World’, Bloomberg UK, (July 2022).
7. MURRAY, C., ‘‘Getting ahead of the market’: Mitsubishi Power Americas
on Li-ion, long duration and green hydrogen storage’, Energy Storage
News, (April 2022).
8. ‘Climate in San Diego, California’, BestPlaces.
9. ‘Mitsubishi Power, Georgia Power, EPRI Complete World’s
Largest Hydrogen Fuel Blending at Plant McDonough-Atkinson’,
Mitsubishi Power Americas, (June 2022).
Learn more about our
editorial opportunities

Email: jessica.casey@energyglobal.com
for more information
 enerate to
G

Alastair Morris, Chief Commercial Officer, Powerstar, UK, considers

how behind-the-meter storage can generate new revenue for commerical
end users and support the National Grid, exploring why energy storage
is so vital for the growth of the renewable energy industry.

40 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022

ac
n a world where net zero commitments
and the other elements of the energy

c
trilemma appear to be increasingly
competing agendas, the efficient storage
and use of renewables is a critical issue. Exactly
how end user companies and organisations can
capitalise on opportunities – by supplying energy
generated and stored on-site back to the grid – is
a vital aspect of both agendas. Efficient energy
storage combined with contracts to manage a
el
relationship with the grid can offer new revenue
streams to such companies.
Battery energy storage system (BESS)
technology is a cornerstone of the changing
energy landscape, in part because of its proven
er
flexibility which allows for optimum effectiveness
in a range of scenarios and for the efficient
use of other technologies. For commercial end
users, battery energy storage also offers the
possibility of offsetting rising energy costs by
ate

generating additional revenue from their assets

through engaging with grid balancing services.
The ongoing and rapid increase in the amount
of inflexible, renewable power generation in the
UK has made the grid increasingly unstable,
often struggling with either too much or too
little electricity generation, fundamentally
dependent upon weather conditions. For the
UK, in unfavourable weather, the country is still
largely reliant on gas generation to make up
the shortfall, therefore contributing to the

41
 ongoing energy crisis. Within this context, the National Grid
are increasingly reliant on balancing services to manage
supply and demand more effectively and, in the long-term,
this flexibility will be critical in maintaining a robust grid
supplied predominantly, or entirely, by renewables.
In essence, BESS technology works by storing
electricity so that it can be used when required or when
Figure 1. Demand side response (DSR) infographic.
Figure 2. Harnessing on-site renewables to generate new
revenue streams.
Figure 3. Critical process manufacturing.
42 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
most beneficial, depending on the company’s operational
demands and strategic priorities. If combined with
control software, this operation can be automated,
using artificial intelligence (AI) to learn what generation
and what usage should be prioritised. Grid scale battery
energy storage is well documented and is factored into
large scale operations and the wider utilities and power
generation markets. However, there is a significant role for
the concept in behind-the-meter (BtM) scenarios, where its
commercial application can provide an integrated energy
management and microgrid solution, one which allows
for greater control and flexibility of energy usage. For
these commercial end users, there are a range of benefits,
including: power resilience through uninterruptible
power supply (UPS), cost savings through shifting times
when a company uses grid-supplied electricity, and the
capability to buffer large loads, such as electric vehicles
(EV) charging from the grid, so that they can be more
easily and more cheaply connected. However, in terms
of the potential of BtM solutions and how they impact on
grid supply for the benefit of in front-of-the-meter (FtM)
suppliers, the key question to address, to really engage
commercial end users with the benefits of investment in
BESS, and therefore help to support grid stability, is: how
can investment in BESS equate to revenue generation?
The two contracting options
While grid scale operators will be thoroughly familiar with
the mechanism of selling energy stored in a BESS back
to the grid, for smaller scale operations – those that are
being defined as commercial end users – this contracting
will require the services of a third-party aggregator.
Here, there are two contracting options for these smaller
scale companies – demand side response (DSR) and firm
frequency response (FFR). For FtM, of course, the objectives
of each of these options differ – DSR being the process
whereby surplus energy is released back to the grid,
while FFR is used to rapidly reduce demand or to increase
available power in scenarios where a large deviation in
system frequency would otherwise result in disruption
across the network.
DSR gives the grid the ability to intelligently manage
supply and demand, and this is increasingly important
as intermittent generation from renewables grows as
an overall percentage of power generation. These DSR
grid contracts, ‘balancing services’, are facilitated both
through end users varying their overall energy demand
and, increasingly, via BESS technology. Battery storage
allows end users to fulfil DSR contract obligations by
turning up, turning down, or offsetting their own demand
in real time, to help the grid smooth out peaks and troughs
in overall demand. The storage capability of a BESS also
means that companies can secure a better price for their
surplus power by selling it when it is most in demand. As a
critical part of how National Grid balances the grid in real
time, FFR contracts can be the most valuable balancing
service for end users to provide DSR but can also be the
most challenging to engage with. FFR providers must meet
contractually binding response times, requiring companies
to be able to respond fully to movements in system
frequency within 30 secs. or fewer. FFR uses pre-approved
assets to rapidly reduce demand or to increase generation
in scenarios where a sudden imbalance, such as a power
station unexpectedly shutting down, to keep the frequency
of the grid within prescribed limits and prevent the
power outages that large deviations in system frequency
can cause.
In addition to capability, and how balancing services
may fit with a commercial end user’s main business
objective, the issue of payment from the National Grid
in return for providing FFR is an issue to factor in. These
are typically split across two different elements. The
availability fee is calculated by the number of hours that
a provider makes themselves available, and whether their
services are called upon or not, while the nomination
fee is an additional payment made available when their
asset is utilised. Payments will vary depending upon the
framework agreement and the level of agreed capacity,
but the instantaneous requirement does make them
substantially higher than other forms of DSR. BESS are
one of the most capable and appropriate technologies
for FFR, and particularly dynamic FFR. Their ability to
rapidly draw energy from the grid and to deliver it back,
when necessary, makes BESS a powerful asset – both for
the end user and for the National Grid. The instantaneous
response times available with BESS lends perfectly to the
flexibility demanded by grid balancing. For businesses,
especially those operating in energy-intensive sectors such
as healthcare, high value/high volume manufacturing,
and data centres, many continue to struggle in the current
energy crisis. DSR services represent a way to offset energy
costs by generating new revenue streams, while also
helping the National Grid to balance the network and
mitigate against supply disruption.
Energy storage in application
All this said, there needs to be a word of caution. Battery
energy storage was originally able to offer a compelling
return on investment from grid revenue services alone.
However, the current landscape is somewhat different.
Changes to schemes and to payments available, coupled
with the rapid growth of battery storage as a sector in its
own right, indicate that – outside of grid scale projects
– revenue from the grid is unlikely to provide sufficient
return on investment as a sole justification for investment
in BESS. For these end user commercial organisations,
new revenue from balancing should, arguably, be viewed
as a secondary benefit. Fortunately, there are numerous
scenarios where this secondary benefit is proven to be
a case for investment. For example, Powerstar were
contracted by a global leader in aviation, manufacturers
of precision, high-value landing gear and suspension.
Energy disruptions to their plant were causing halts in
operations, meaning the destruction of eight material
blocks per year, each worth more than £150 000. The
application of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) as an
innovative capability of BESS has protected the site from
any production disruption, giving a payback period of
less than two years. This payback period does not factor
in their new capability to provide balancing services
to the grid. Similarly, for an NHS hospital project in
South Yorkshire, UK, the overriding requirement was for
security of power supply through UPS. Powerstar specified
a new BESS, which incorporated the rapid switching speed
and reliability required, but also offered much lower
losses, at less than 1% of capacity, than a traditional UPS
system. This solution offers cost savings of approximately
£225 000 per year, eliminating approximately 190 t of CO 2e
and allows for the generation of approximately £100 000
of additional revenue through sale of energy back to
the grid.
For the UK to meet its net zero targets and for wider,
global, carbon emission reduction ambitions, an increase
in uptake of BESS technology must show a positive impact,
particularly if such organisations could become a larger
slice of the capacity market. Within the UK, the capacity
market works as a buffer to protect against supply
disruption as the country’s energy mix becomes more
varied and more unpredictable. Using a descending clock
format, auctions have been widely criticised. Starting at
£75/kW and reducing until a minimum price is reached, the
2019 top-up auction reached £00.77/kW, making it almost
impossible for smaller scale companies to compete.
Effectively, the capacity market has been subsidising fossil
fuel generators – who are often the lowest bidders – to
remain on standby in case they are needed by the grid.
One case study from Powerstar that perfectly combines
both the net zero agenda, and the cost reduction
imperative is a project for The Design Museum, UK, a
leading museum devoted to contemporary design in
any form. With a core mission to promote sustainable
development and design, and to lead by example, a review
of their energy strategy found average monthly energy
costs rising by approximately 30%. A BESS has allowed
the Design Museum to reduce overall energy bills through
storing energy to use at peak times, while also generating
additional revenue from grid contracts. These greater
energy efficiency and new revenue streams reduced
the museum’s overall energy costs by 21%, and reduced
energy consumption on site by more than 8%, allowing
the registered charity to reinvest savings back into exhibits
and visitor experience.
Given the above, and to summarise the issues raised
here: to achieve net zero targets, the shift to renewables
must be continued. While this move creates significant
problems for supply and demand and for the stability and
security of power generation, a nuanced approach which
uses more localised virtual power plants – the networks
where BtM energy management strategies and investment
in BESS contributes to overarching FtM supply – offers a
positive pathway to emission reduction, cost reduction,
and supply security, the three arms of the energy trilemma.
BtM can and should have a significant, albeit micro, role in
a macro approach to energy security and sustainability.
ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 43
44 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
Steve Wirtel, Kore Infrastructure, USA, discusses how converting waste into
carbon negative renewable energy will help reduce the need for fossil fuels.
lobally, 65% of greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions are caused by the burning of fossil
fuels.1 As the climate crisis intensifies, it is
essential that alternative energy sources are
searched for. Managing waste contributes to the climate
crisis: even in a landfill, organic waste decomposes
into methane, a potent GHG, and can leak into the
atmosphere. Kore has developed a technology to
solve both challenges by converting waste into carbon
negative renewable energy, reducing the need for
fossil fuels.
The process, known as pyrolysis, begins with
wastes such as demolition wood, agricultural
residuals, forest thinnings (to reduce wildfire
risk), and green waste. These feedstocks
are continuously fed to the pyrolyser
where the temperature is raised to over
1000˚F in an oxygen-free environment.
Under these conditions, the feedstock
decomposes into a gas and a solid
carbon char. The system operates in a
closed-loop – the technology produces
zero waste, and the feedstock
generates heat to power the process
without supplemental energy. Since
the feedstock is biogenic (it originated
as a plant), these products are called
biogas and biocarbon.
After spending over 60 mins. in the
Kore reactor, the biogas is sent to a
gas conditioning system where it
first passes through a hot cyclone
to remove fine solids, then
is quenched in a venturi
scrubber to reduce the temperature. Finally, the gas
is dehumidified before being conveyed into a storage
vessel. Condensable gases produced in the venturi
scrubber can be recycled to the reactor, used to generate
process heat, or upcycled to methanol and acetic acid
for offtake.
Biocarbon exits the reactor through dual knife gates
to preserve the airtight seal in the reactor. The biocarbon
enters a screw conveyor equipped with a cooling sleeve
that reduces the temperature to near ambient as it
lifts and discharges the biocarbon into a storage and
offloading hopper.
Approximately half of the carbon in the feedstock
converts to elemental carbon (biocarbon). Biocarbon
makes an excellent soil amendment because it
retains moisture (less irrigation), retains nutrients
(less fertilizer), and improves soil microbial growth,
all of which contributes to higher plant yield. Think of
biocarbon as a sponge that holds onto water, not only
reducing irrigation but increasing drought tolerance.
The biocarbon produced by a standard Kore process
can reduce irrigation needs by up to 60 million gal./yr.
Biocarbon also absorbs fertilizer, allowing the plant to
access nutrients when it needs them. This provides two
benefits: less fertilizer is applied, and less fertilizer runs
off into the environment, causing nutrient pollution.
In addition, because the biocarbon is produced at
a high temperature, it is biologically stable – it will not
biodegrade to methane (CH 4) or carbon dioxide (CO 2),
and will remain in the soil for centuries. And, because
the carbon originated in the atmosphere (biogenic
feedstock), the process is carbon negative. Biocarbon
also has an energy value comparable to coal, and can
be substituted for coal in steel and cement production,
both notoriously difficult to decarbonise.
The carbon negative biogas produced has an
energy value approximately half that of fossil natural
gas. It can replace natural gas to produce heat,
power, and/or steam using a client’s existing burner
technology. Composed primarily of hydrogen (H 2),
45
 carbon monoxide (CO), CH 4, and CO 2, the biogas can also
be upgraded to carbon negative hydrogen using proven
technology such as pressure swing adsorption, or it can be
converted into carbon negative renewable natural gas via
methanation. Below is a list of typical applications for the
energy products derived from Kore’s biogas.

FFHeat: The biogas and biocarbon can be used to

generate heat for heat intensive processes such as
cement manufacturing.

FFPower: The biogas can be used to generate power for

Figure 1. Kore Infrastructure’s pyrolyser that converts organic waste
into carbon negative energy.
electric utilities, college campuses, and factories to
help sustainably meet electricity needs. Biogas can also
generate uninterruptible power for large server farms
and data centres to lessen the burden on local grids.

FFSteam: The biogas can be converted into steam for

applications such as food and beverage production.

FFRenewable natural gas (RNG): The biogas can be

upgraded to RNG which is molecularly indistinguishable
from fossil natural gas. This carbon negative RNG
can replace fossil natural gas in many applications,
including: compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles,
traditional hydrogen produced by steam methane
reforming, and natural gas fired power plants.

FFHydrogen: The biogas can be upgraded to fuel cell

quality hydrogen which is 99.999% pure, also known
as 5-9s hydrogen. This UltraGreen Hydrogen TM is
Figure 2. A side view of Kore Infrastructure’s system in operation, suitable for fuel cell electric cars, trucks, buses, and
moving renewable energy through a series of pipes.
trains. Because the carbon intensity of this hydrogen
is very low, the credits
available through policies
such as the low carbon
fuel standards (LCFS) in
California, the US, and
soon other states, are
very valuable. Other uses
for UltraGreen Hydrogen
include warehouse and
distribution centre forklifts,
steel manufacturing, and
ammonia production.

Hydrogen
Hydrogen is one of the
more interesting energy
products that Kore can
produce. Hydrogen use
is rapidly growing in
California, where policy is
driving the transportation
sector to decarbonise.
The state currently has
Figure 3. An aerial view of Kore Infrastructure’s facility commissioned for a project with SoCalGas in downtown 54 light-duty hydrogen
Los Angeles, USA. refuelling stations,

46 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022

with another 117 in development.
A standard Kore system can
produce up to 1000 kg/d of
UltraGreen Hydrogen, enough to
fuel over 1400 fuel cell electric cars.
This standard design, skid-mounted
technology can fit into tight spaces
almost anywhere, reducing feedstock
and hydrogen transport costs and
increasing accessibility to low-cost
green vehicle-grade hydrogen.
UltraGreen Hydrogen can also be
used by warehouse operators to
power quick fuelling, zero-emission
fuel cell electric forklifts and
Class 8 heavy-duty trucks.
Figure 4. Part of Kore Infrastructure’s facility where organic material is continuously fed into
Anaerobic digestion the system.
The Kore process also complements
other waste management technologies such as anaerobic
digestion. Anaerobic digestion converts high moisture
organic wastes such as food waste, animal manure, and
wastewater treatment sludges into biogas containing
methane and carbon dioxide. The methane can be
separated and processed into RNG. But the anaerobic
digestion process is incomplete – approximately 40% of
the incoming waste remains as a semi-solid digestate
that must be managed, typically by land application.
However, the presence of dangerous chemicals and excess
nutrients limit the options available for land application
of digestate. The Kore process can use this digestate as
feedstock, increasing the overall RNG production by 50%
or more and eliminating digestate management problems.
Energy transition technology
The Kore process is a true energy transition technology.
The technology can be implemented initially to provide
biogas for heat, power, and/or steam generation. Then, a
hydrogen separation process can be added to separate
UltraGreen Hydrogen from the biogas. The gases left after
hydrogen separation are still very energetic, so they can
continue to produce heat, power, and/or steam. Hydrogen
production can start small and increase as demand grows.
Eventually, the facility could convert entirely to hydrogen
production, with the tail gas used to meet the process
energy demands.
The key to the Kore process is maintaining the
feedstock at a very high temperature in the complete
absence of oxygen – easier said than done. The Kore
system has been mechanically proven to withstand the
rigours of continuous, high temperature, 24/7 operation,
with an airtight reaction zone. Kore has been successfully
operating a commercial demonstration facility for over a
year on a site in downtown Los Angeles, the US, owned
by Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) to prove the
mechanical integrity of the equipment.
“SoCalGas will continue to support companies
developing innovative technologies to help achieve
carbon neutrality,” said Neil Navin, Vice President of
Clean Energy Innovations for SoCalGas. “The production
of carbon-negative RNG and hydrogen could help
provide energy security and decarbonise California in our
energy transition.”
This demonstration project has been fully permitted
in downtown Los Angeles. The South Coast Air Quality
Management District (SCAQMD), the air quality regulator
for southern California, one of the most restrictive air
regulators in the country, issued some of the many permits
for the facility. As a show of its support, the SCAQMD is also
supporting the project both technically and financially.
The only emissions from the process is flue gas that
exits the pyrolyser after indirectly heating the feedstock.
These emissions are tightly controlled by the burner design
and operation.
The demonstration facility processes 1 tph of feedstock,
producing approximately 10 million Btu/hr of renewable
energy. Biocarbon production is approximately 20% of the
feedstock flow. Because this is a research project, none
of the energy products are sold, but instead they must be
carefully disposed of. The biogas is completely combusted
in a flare, and the biocarbon is removed by a waste
management company that uses it as an asphalt additive.
The next steps for the company’s demonstration project
is to test a wide variety of feedstocks to collect performance
data for commercial applications. Kore will also begin
testing hydrogen production using pressure swing
adsorption technology. The UltraGreen Hydrogen produced
will be available to fleet, retail, and other off-takers in
southern California for testing and use.
Kore believes in circular solutions that benefit a
wide range of customers and industries. The company’s
technology is at the cutting edge of the energy transition
and is changing the way people think about waste.
References
1. ‘Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data’, United States Environmental
Protection Agency, (February 2022), https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-
greenhouse-gas-emissions-data.
ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 47
 David Richardson,
Business Development Manager Global Renewables,
Yokogawa, UK, details how to improve the performance
operation and profitability of waste-to--energy plants.

waste-to-energy (WtE) problems for the operators of such

plant is a complex process
involving numerous
interconnecting systems
and processes. Unlike the
conventional coal and/or gas power
producing plants, the hugely varying
calorific value of the waste being
burned generates considerable
plants, with the combustion process
being considered somewhat unstable.
To prevent plants from tripping, many
WtE plants run below their design
setpoints, and therefore project
returns on investment subsequently
suffer. Compounding the problem and
contributing further to the process

48
ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 49
 instability are issues associated with fuel feeding where
overfeeding and starvation are both common.
A WtE plant can be split into a number of constituent
processes/operations: fuel feeding, combustion control,
boiler efficiency, corrosion, and emissions. There is
considerable overlap between how these elements relate to
each other, and total process understanding is necessary
if the performance of either new-build or existing plants
is to be firstly addressed and then improved. A simple
example can be seen from the relationship between
combustion control, flue gas temperatures, and both
boiler efficiency and corrosion. Corrosion is inextricably
linked to temperatures. Whilst it is easy to clean open pass
boiler sections, cleaning of the congested superheater
sections of a boiler is less straightforward, and with
sticky and corrosive fly ash accumulating on superheater
tubing, explosion cleaning is an expensive and necessary
operation to be undertaken by many plants. Combustion
and temperature control, flue gas temperatures, and open
pass boiler section cleaning solutions all impact on the
Figure 1. Typical (unstable) steam production data showing both steam
and power production over a 24-hour period in a waste-to-energy plant.
Figure 2. Typical roof-mounted boiler installation.
50 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
rate of boiler corrosion. Without a detailed understanding
of the interactions of the plant sub systems/processes, the
improvement in one area can easily have a detrimental
impact elsewhere in the plant.
The pressures on the process
WtE plants represent a considerable financial investment.
Suppliers of such plants feature considerable pricing
pressures when bidding to supply new-build plants.
These pressures impact upon margins, and so plants will
feature the technologies that are necessary to pass plant
performance tests. Additional solutions and technologies
that could be integrated into the plants and which would
maximise plant operation performance and profitability,
unfortunately, are often missing. To the owner of a WtE
plant, a 5% increase in the amount of waste processed can
lead to significant additional earnings. In many cases, and
particularly as plants increase in size, such performance
improvements can lead to considerable additional
revenues. As the price of power also increases within the
open market, these annual increases to the revenue stream
are repeatable and consistent throughout the lifecycle of
the plant. They are not a one-shot single benefit.
Finding solutions to control the
combustion process
It has previously been stated that the WtE plant is a difficult
process to control. The varying size, shape, and calorific
composition of the waste being processed all contribute
to considerable instability to the heart of the process – the
combustion. There are many techniques and solutions that
have been developed and implemented over the years with
varying degrees of both sophistication and success. The
conventional methodology for controlling the combustion
process involves the traditional
three-term PID controller. Whilst this
works well for steady-state operational
conditions, this type of control
struggles to deal with the significant
process delays seen by many of the
control loops. Some of which, following
a change to a particular control action,
will fail to register a change in process
conditions for prolonged periods
of time (sometimes anything from
5 – 15 mins).
Some solutions have implemented
very complicated evolutions of the
PID controller, others have tried a
more conventional approach using
techniques from other industries.
Model predictive control, fuzzy logic
control, adaptive self-tuning controls,
and artificial intelligence are all
solutions that have been tried and
tested to varying degrees of success.
In almost all cases, the final solution
has been complicated, requires
significant mathematical prowess from the author/designer,
and the solution has been a ‘secret’, meaning that only the
supplier can make changes/adaptations/modifications.
And, of course, such solutions are normally accompanied by
a significant financial consideration.
When investigating solutions for the improvement
of WtE plant combustion control, truly open solutions
should be investigated as a matter of course. A WtE plant
is complex, meaning its performance and operation will
change during its 20 – 25 year lifecycle. Complex control
situations are difficult to understand and even more
complex to modify. Simpler is best. Solutions exist within the
marketplace where plant process engineers can be trained
to implement performance improvement projects and
where project/solution implementation and ownership can
be retained in-house.
The heart of any power plant is the combustion process
and the production of steam. Instability in steam production
can be improved typically by approximately 20 – 25%.
Improving such steam stability allows setpoints to be raised
and will typically see an increase of 5 – 10% in the amount
of waste processed, 3 – 5% increase in the amount of both
steam and power generated, and significant improvements
into the plant emissions levels. Nitrous oxide (NOX) reduction
levels of 15 – 20% are readily achievable, and in a number
of cases improvements to NOX emissions through the
combustion control process have allowed a number of
existing plants to retain and renew their operational permits
in the light of tightening national emissions levels, without
the need to provide complex and costly selective catalytic
reduction (SCR) technology. The use of advanced controls
to operate existing NOX reduction equipment (SNCR) has
also proven to be a considerable success where again
temperature is a critical contributing factor to the successful
operation of such equipment.
Preventing corrosion
As a conventional WtE plant ages, lifecycle costs become
a very serious consideration. A huge area of interest,
focus, and attention can be found in the prevention and/or
reduction in the levels of boiler performance and corrosion.
Waste is often clearly acidic in its nature. Featuring varying
levels of chloride content, sticky corrosive fly ash adheres
itself to boiler walls and superheater tubing. Over time, this
fly ash builds up on the boiler surfaces and heat transfer
rates are seriously impacted, boiler efficiency deteriorates,
and levels of corrosion accelerate. Furthermore, chlorides,
especially zinc chlorides, form low melting eutectic liquids
which are extremely corrosive for superheater boiler tubes.
An efficient ‘shower’ or water jet cleaning system can
be effectively utilised to clean the open pass sections of
the boiler, water jets impact upon the boiler walls, flash
off to steam, and break up the fly ash deposits. An added
benefit from such a cleaning process is then a reduction in
flue gas temperatures and a corresponding reduction in
temperature-related corrosion.
Such technology, however, does not work in the
congested superheater section of the boiler. Here, the most
widely accepted and practiced solution is the use of
explosion cleaning. This is an established technique for
cleaning the restrictive areas within a WtE plant boiler, but it
is an expensive and time-consuming process.
Following extensive development over a six year period,
a patented solution for cleaning the congested superheater
section of a boiler has emerged. The results have shown
reductions in corrosion within boiler superheater sections in
excess of 55%. This patented solution utilises the principle
of sulfatation. Sulfur is injected alongside the secondary
air of the combustion process. This results in a chemical
reaction taking place in which the chlorides within the flue
gas are transformed into sulfates. The rate of conversion
depends upon the concentrations of sulfur used, and the
conversion is designed to take place prior to the sulfates
making contact with the boiler tubes. The reaction takes
place in the initial part of the boiler, and requires high
temperatures and a high local oxygen excess rate. The
results are significant, with considerable reductions in
both corrosion levels and the necessity and expense for
explosion cleaning.
The operation of a WtE plant is carried out by a number
of operators and a plant-wide computerised control system.
There are a number of manufacturers with experience in
having delivered such systems but there is a huge variety
with respect to performance improvements to the operation
of such plants and the necessary accompanying process
knowledge. For new-build plants, this is something the
plant builder/EPC contractor is responsible for, but once the
plant has met its post-contract performance requirements
and the plant builder has moved on to the next project,
performance improvements become the responsibility of the
plant owner/operator. Performance improvement projects
can be carried out by interfacing to almost any plant-wide
computerised control system, regardless of manufacturer,
and do not require significant additional replacement costs
to be a consideration.
Yokogawa Electric has invested considerably in
technologies and solutions for improving the performance
operation and profitability of both WtE and biomass power
plants. Recently, Yokogawa Electric acquired the shares of
Dublix Technology, a Danish company with approximately
30 years of expertise in both product and solutions
dedicated to the performance improvement of such plants.
Yokogawa solutions improve the performance of WtE
and biomass plants with solutions dedicated to:
FFIncreasing the stability of the combustion process.
FFIncreasing the tonnage of waste processed.
FFIncreasing both the steam and power production.
FFReducing plant emissions, specifically NOX and CO.
FFImproving boiler efficiency.
FFReducing levels of plant corrosion.
ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 51
 aste incineration is the last resort of
recycling management and is becoming
more and more important. What cannot
be reused or recycled is burned. Only
little residual quantities should be dumped. The energetic
utilisation of waste and residual materials has a long
tradition; however, the inhomogeneous fuel involves
some challenges. These can be mastered by means
of digitalisation.
Waste-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plants,
which are a variety of thermal waste treatment plants,
currently have high utilisation rates. After all, a waste-fired
CHP plant works just like other power plants. The fuel is
transported to a furnace where it is burned continuously by
means of a combustion grate while air is supplied. The heat
drives generators that produce electricity; the waste heat
is used in heat grids, and the steam is directly applied for
industrial purposes.
In most cases, a higher energetic utilisation rate is only
feasible by increasing the throughput. This, however, is
only possible by optimising the combustion process. Thus,
downtimes can be reduced and the hours of operation can
be increased. One technique for this purpose consists in
condition-based maintenance, which has been tried and
tested owing to digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI).
A largely trouble-free process of this kind is only possible
by means of a process quality monitoring and condition
monitoring of the thermal waste treatment plant. For this,
all relevant process data has to be captured, processed,
and provided to the control system according to the
principles of big data and machine learning in real-time.
This also means that anomalies can be detected, as well as
creeping changes, and they can be reacted to as quickly as
possible – also automatedly.
Inhomogeneous fuel requires
more control
The fuel of waste-fired CHP plants requires pre-processing,
such as grading and drying, in order to neutralise some
of the inhomogeneity. In spite of this, it is impossible to
52
achieve a gross calorific value similar to that of oil, gas,
wood, or coal. Moreover, external factors such as the
weather, quality, load, or contaminants contained in the
waste, as well as others, need to be considered.
Here, only a continuous monitoring of the combustion
process and regular interventions help to generate the
products electricity, heat, and steam continuously and
with due quality.
In 2009, STEAG Energy Services implemented a visual
and digital monitoring of the combustion process at
a waste-fired CHP plant in Spain. The
PiT Navigator Waste applied here is
a system developed by STEAG on the
hardware and software side. It consists
of a combination of a video camera and
a thermographic camera in a refractory
housing. The cameras are oriented from the rear
towards the end-most combustion zones, the fire
end line.
The data is sent to the process control system, which
uses AI methods for the computationally intensive tasks,
via a standard interface. At the same time, it is shielded
from possible cyber-attacks from the outside. If the
process control system has to be replaced, only the
interface will be adjusted. The furnace capacity control
will remain unchanged, which ensures an immediate and
reliable operation.
The user interface of the PiT Navigator Waste enables
programming either on a separate monitor or as an
additional input screen in the process control system.
Thus, all customer requirements for a clear visualisation
can be fulfilled.
The benefits consist in:
F A lower fluctuation of the steam output.
F An improved burnout.
F Decreased emission peaks for carbon monoxide (CO)
and nitrous oxide (NOX) emissions.
Simon Geiger, STEAG Energy Services, Germany, details
how digitalisation can make waste incineration more
efficient in waste-fired combined heat and power plants.

ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 53

 Neural networks control the plant The system of the PiT Navigator Waste is subject to
This, in turn, optimises the furnace capacity control. Owing continuous development. It has been implemented at
to neural networks, an advanced process control, and other plants all across Europe. One advantage consists in
intelligent data processing, the data thus gained enables the fact that this can be done during operation.
an advanced steam projection for the following 2 – 5 mins.
in each case. This again allows downstream controllers Start 2009
to react to a steam peak before it occurs by means of the Objectives:
actuating variables and to minimise the deviation of the
generated steam quantity from the reference value. Thus, FFReduction of standard deviation of steam fluctuations
the system follows the methods of artificial intelligence by 25% (achieved: 45%).
(AI). However, it is possible to manually intervene in the
process at any time. The procedure described here can FFIncrease in steam quantity by 3% (achieved: 5.9%).
also be applied to other important process variables of
the plant. FFReduction of the standard deviation for steam to
This use of data, which is ground-breaking for 3.3 tph (achieved: 1.8 – 1.9 tph; 2021, after the update:
waste-fired CHP plants, enables the simultaneous setting 1.2 tph).
of parameters such as steam output and combustion
temperature by means of the air quantity, air temperature, FFAfter the update of 2021, the steam reference value of
or grate speed. All controls are completely adaptive. 44 t can be increased by 4 t or 10%.
They are retrained and optimised fully automatically
at regular intervals. Grate trimming, air distribution by General benefits owing to the PiT Navigator Waste:
means of primary air and secondary air fan, as well as
other parameters can be manually influenced by the plant FFStabilisation of the steam output, resulting in 3% higher
operator at any time. waste throughput (control deviation for steam smaller
In 2021, an adjustment of the plant in Spain was than 3%).
carried out that mainly affected the hardware and
software. The operation has been simplified significantly. FFImproved combustion process, resulting in better
Several options are now suggested to the plant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (40% less CO peaks,
operators, depending on the situation; they can still enter 10% less NOX standard deviation).
information manually.
One problem that can be solved this way is that of wet FFReturn on investment is achieved in less than one year.
waste or waste of bad quality, which frequently occurs
in rainy Spain. It would impede the combustion process. More plant efficiency due to
Owing to weather data, which are imported by AI-based SR::SPC Predictive Analytics
systems as well and influence the control of the plant, it is Alongside the PiT Navigator Waste, the early warning
now possible to detect when bad waste occurs. system SR::SPC Predictive Analytics developed by STEAG
also ensures the
early detection of
creeping and critical
changes by monitoring
processes and main
components of a
waste-fired CHP plant.
SR::SPC combines
state-of-the-art data
analysis with machine
learning and AI via
big data in real time.
From historical,
sensor-based data, the
system develops digital
twins and continuously
compares them to the
current data. This also
allows to immediately
detect potential faults
and anomalies in the
Figure 1. HMI overview page of PiT navigator waste. operation or damages

54 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022

in the plant. This, in
turn, enables predictive
maintenance and repair
of the plant, e.g., during
scheduled downtimes or
at times with low load.
SR::SPC Predictive
Analytics offers the
following benefits:

FFTransparency
owing to processed
data and derived
key performance
indicators (KPIs).

FFEarly detection
of inefficiency
and damaged
infrastructure.
Figure 2. HMI camera page (PiT indicator rear).

FFPrevention of
consequential damage.
FFImproved maintenance planning, as well as spare part
supply chain.
FFOptimisation of the staff deployment.
FFImproved availability and efficiency.
FFIncreasing the availability, and reducing OPEX.
In the case of waste-fired CHP plants in particular,
plant components are subject to faster wear and fouling
due to the inhomogeneous fuel. This, in turn, leads to
downtimes and losses.
Predictive Analytics at MVV
Such a system is already in operation at the utility
company, MVV, in Mannheim, Germany. Most of the
467 MW electrical power plant output is generated by
eight waste-fired CHP plants and four biomass-fired CHP
plants. The production processes are fully automated.
Several thousand sensors and actuators serve this purpose
in each plant, providing approximately 25 000 measured
values every 2 secs. since 1991.
Owing to these data, implementing SR::SPC Predictive
Analytics was possible and reasonable here as the arising
amount of data made an estimation of the parameters
regarding both the process and the condition of the plants
only by the staff difficult. Therefore, from October 2018 on,
STEAG Energy Services implemented this early warning
system at the thermal waste treatment plants of MVV at
the Mannheim site over a period of six months.
In a first step, the process connections were upgraded
to standardised interfaces and moreover, a central
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform was set up.
The sites process control systems were connected to the
respective IIoT network segment via an OPC-UA server.
Here, each segment has its own linking computer. It
transmits the data from the control system to the central
long-term data archive via virtual private networks (VPN).
Basically, this data can be accessed from each office.
The embedded data management system ensures
an adequate visualisation by means of which all
processes can be monitored. Deviations will result in an
automated alarming.
Essential benefits include:
FFCompliance with the KPI nomenclature.
FFActivation of all outlier filters.
FFCreation of suitable selection filters.
FFExisting load indicator.
FFInput neurons of all relevant values available.
FFSelection of a suitable training period.
FFThe number of the hidden neurons is consistent with
the complexity.
FFA match of at least 80% for the test data.
FFCreation of a realistic documentation.
The following specific implementations were performed
for the MVV plant:
FFThe superheaters of the steam generator were
arranged as contact heating surfaces in the flue

ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 55

 gas stream. This involves a reduction of the flow
cross-section due to fouling, which, in turn, needs to
be regularly removed by means of explosive cleaning.
The alarm values of the plant are adjusted in such a way
that this is reported one week in advance.
FFKPIs also monitor the bearing vibrations of the ID fan
blower, enabling the detection of a higher flue gas
humidity and dust load, which can lead to deposit
build-up on the rotor of the blower.
FFA turbo set of a turbine was analysed with a total of
170 individual values. In doing so, abnormalities of
16 measured values were detected. Their evaluation
allowed to carry out a necessary maintenance or
complete overhaul early on.
It was proven that AI-based methods and advanced
algorithms, such as the deep learning auto-encoder,
facilitate the physical modelling for predictive
maintenance considerably.
“MVV has evaluated STEAG‘s predictive analytics
IT solution, has proven its economic added value,
and rolled it out feet-wide. We are delighted with the
tool and the co-operation with the team of STEAG,”
explained Sascha Schmitt, Planning Engineer for
Technology, Engineering,
and Digitalisation at
MVV Umwelt GmbH in
Munich, Germany.

Conclusion
Digitalisation allows the
highly complex process
of waste incineration and
the related production
of electricity, heat, and
steam to proceed in a
more continuous way. A
combination of a permanent
monitoring of the furnace
and the automated control
of the combustion process
helps in doing so. This is
based on the integration of
Figure 3. HMI actuator page of the primary air. data regarding the gross
calorific value and the other
properties and condition of
the waste delivered and to
be burned. This data enables
a predictive adjustment of
the combustion process.
This, in turn, ensures
a largely trouble-free
operation of a waste-fired
CHP plant and also allows
for its maintenance, because
the data regarding wear is
collected automatedly this
way as well. This relieves the
operation and maintenance
engineers as they are
notified by the early warning
system and can launch a
highly efficient maintenance
strategy. All this results in an
increased plant availability,
reduced downtimes, a
higher throughput, and the
desired longer productive
Figure 4. Intelligent maintenance planning through early prediction of inspection requirements. operating times.

56 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022

Sam Leighton, Managing Director, Bombora Wave Energy, UK,
details how harnessing wave energy could aid the world’s transition
to a net zero future, highlighting technologies such as wave energy
converters and hybrid wind and wave systems.

ounded in Perth, Western Australia, in 2012, Bombora Wave Energy has

developed a solution to harness the power of ocean waves. Now on the cusp of
delivering a powerful wave energy converter (WEC) – through its flagship 1.5 MW
Pembrokeshire demonstration project, Wales – the firm’s utility scale solution is
helping to accelerate the energy transition on route to a net zero future.
The word ‘bombora’ comes from the Australian Aboriginal language, meaning an
area of large sea waves breaking over a shallow reef some distance from the shore.
Now operating from headquarters in Pembrokeshire, it remains a symbolic masthead
illustrating the company’s proud heritage and connection to the Noongar people as
traditional custodians of the land on which it was founded.
Following a decade of intense research and development, Bombora is now ready
to harness one of the world’s largest untapped energy sources – ocean waves –
which contain approximately 2 TW of energy, enough to satisfy today’s entire global
electricity demand.
Through its novel ‘mWave’ technology, Bombora will combat two key challenges
which have hampered wave energy development in the past – the cost of energy
production and the ability to withstand mighty ocean forces. Crucially, it has also
been designed to capture wave energy at utility scale, producing consistent and
cost-competitive renewable energy for commercial power generation.

Maximising energy capture

The mWave structure comprises of a series of air-inflated concave cell modules, fitted
with flexible rubber membranes, mounted onto structures below the ocean surface.
The cell modules are arranged at an angle to the incoming waves to maximise
energy capture.
As waves pass overhead, air is squeezed out of each cell module in sequence,
passing through one-way valves and into a duct system fitted with an axial turbine
before being recirculated to refill each of the cell modules once the wave has passed.
The flexible membrane is made from industrial grade rubber, which is renowned
for its reliability and longevity following long-standing use across a range of other
marine applications.
Containing no external parts, aside from the flexible and robust rubber membrane,
mWave extracts power simply without the need for complex mechanical systems.

58
ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 59
 The replaceable modular design also helps streamline
maintenance processes, minimising downtime and
maximising power output. In addition, mWave’s cell modules
have a unique ability to shut down in extreme storm events,
helping limit design loads and reduce capital costs while
improving the all-important cost of electricity.
In terms of site location, the cell modules can be
configured to suit either fixed-bed nearshore foundation
systems or floating offshore ocean environments.
Delivering powerful wave energy
converters
In July 2022, Bombora entered the final test and assembly
phase of its Pembrokeshire Demonstration Project, as it
prepared to validate its WEC.
The £20 million initiative has been financially supported
by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) via the
Welsh government. It will catapult the region to the forefront
of the global wave energy race, with plans to establish a
sustainable industry, engaging local supply chain partners,
and creating highly skilled employment opportunities.
Rigorous testing is currently being carried out on key
sub-systems as the project progresses at pace, with the
specialist mWave cell membranes undergoing extreme
inflation and deflation cycles. This is the culmination
of a full-system testing process involving detailed
instrumentation, operation of the valve systems, and
powering of the power take-off (PTO) module. Throughout
the process, Bombora has applied acute attention to
detail, pushing its technology way beyond the expected
operational limits to ensure high performance levels,
robustness, and durability.
In the coming months, the final assembly phase will
begin quayside in Pembroke Dock before loadout to the
operational site at East Pickard Bay, Wales, where the
mWave technology will be validated in the open ocean,
advancing it to technology readiness level (TRL) 7/8. The
final 1.5 MW mWave device will weigh in at 900 t, with
structural dimensions of 75 m long, 15 m wide, and 6 m high.
Hybrid wind and wave systems,
and future multi-megawatt wave
energy projects
Once operational, the Pembrokeshire demonstration
project will provide Bombora with a blueprint for its future
multi-megawatt wave energy projects, proving both

Figure 1. Bombora has developed a patented membrane-style wave energy converter, mWaveTM. mWave is unique among wave energy converters
as it simultaneously addresses the cost of energy and ocean wave survivability challenges. This new approach proffers a new era for wave energy.
In deep waters, mWave integrated with a wind turbine on a floating platform greatly increases seabed lease area capacity and output.

60 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022

the reliability and competitiveness of its novel mWave
technology. The project test plan involves operating
mWave for a period of 6 – 12 months, after which it will
be removed. While in situ, it will deliver key optimisation
data to inform Bombora’s other initiatives, including the
InSPIRE project, which is under development with global EPC
contractor, TechnipFMC.
The InSPIRE project aims to unlock the enormous
potential of hybrid wind and wave arrays, which are set
to play a significant role in the future energy transition
by combining complementary power profiles to deliver a
more consistent and stable clean energy supply to the grid.
Adding to the InSPIRE project, Bombora has worked with the
offshore renewable energy (ORE) Catapult’s Marine Energy
Centre of Excellence (MEECE) on the techno-economic
appraisal of the mWave technology within co-located and
integrated offshore renewable environments, providing
more evidence to support future development.
A separate strategic partnership with Japan’s
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) is focusing on identifying and
delivering wave energy projects across Asia, with funding
already secured to conduct a feasibility study in Mauritius
for the deployment of a utility scale wave farm leading to a
30+ MW project.
Transitioning to a net zero future
Transitioning to a net zero world is one of the greatest
challenges humankind has faced, requiring a complete
transformation of how people produce, consume, and
move around. The energy sector ultimately holds the key
to averting the worst effects of climate change, currently
responsible for producing approximately three-quarters of
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
A growing coalition of countries, cities, businesses, and
other institutions are pledging to reach net zero emissions.
More than 70 countries, including the biggest polluters
– China, the US, and the EU – have set a net zero target,
covering approximately 76% of global emissions. More than
1000 cities, educational institutions, and over 400 financial
institutions have joined the ‘Race to Zero’, pledging to take
rigorous, immediate action to half global emissions by 2030.
However, commitments made by governments to date fall
far short of what is required. Current national climate plans
– for all 193 parties to the Paris Agreement taken together
– would lead to a sizeable increase of approximately 14% in
global GHG emissions by 2030, compared to 2010 levels.
Getting to net zero requires all governments – first and
foremost the biggest emitters – to significantly strengthen
their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and take
bold, immediate steps towards reducing emissions now. The
Glasgow Climate Pact is calling on all countries to revisit
and strengthen the 2030 targets in their NDCs by the end of
2022 to align with the Paris Agreement temperature goal.
United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, is
also calling for further commitments at the forthcoming
COP27 climate conference in Egypt, in November 2022, to
deliver a global reduction of emissions by 45% by 2030 in
order to reach net zero emissions by mid-century.
Figure 2. mWave features a series of air-inflated rubber membrane
covered concave cells mounted to a structure below the ocean’s
surface, creating an air-filled volume. To maximise energy capture, the
structure is arranged at an angle to the incoming waves. As waves
pass overhead, air is pushed out of each cell through a series of
valves into a one-way air-duct. The cells are refilled once the wave
has passed. The flexible membrane is made from industrial grade
rubber. The longstanding use of similar materials in a range of marine
applications has demonstrated the material’s reliability and longevity.
Global potential of wave energy
It is now possible to look to the oceans with
hope and optimism on the race to net zero. The
International Energy Agency (IEA) believes the sea offers a
vast, untapped natural energy resource which will deliver
10% of the world’s electricity needs by 2050, equating to
approximately £75 billion annual CAPEX investment into
the market.
Up until now, the adoption of wave energy has been
slow due to poor survivability of past wave technologies
and a relatively high projected levelised cost of energy
(LCOE) compared with other renewables. However, a
new era has arrived for ocean energy, and Bombora’s
pre-eminent technology has been carefully designed to
address the survivability challenge, and is projected to be
cost-competitive with other marine renewables and fossil fuel
energy options in the near-term.
When effectively harnessed, wave energy has the
potential to provide continuous power 24-hours a day, with
much higher predictability than wind and solar. As well as
increasing power output from seabed lease areas through
combined wind and wave arrays, it also diversifies the
renewable energy supply, reducing the need for storage
whilst minimising any impact on the environment.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration,
the waves around the US coasts could provide 66% of the
country’s electricity. And as Bombora now prepares to deliver
a powerful WEC in the UK, many other countries around the
world are ramping up their interest and support in wave
energy projects – including Australia, China, Denmark, Italy,
Korea, Portugal, and Spain – amounting to a tidal wave of
fresh interest in the sector, and a clear vote of confidence in
its potential contribution to the future clean energy mix.
ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 61
 Brian Minhinick, Mott MacDonald, Australia, outlin
transition, focusing specificall

W
ith every stakeholder attached to the energy
value chain seemingly seeking accelerated
transitions to a net zero carbon future, energy
suppliers and consumers around the world
face unprecedented uncertainty and opportunity.
Decarbonisation of traditional liquid and gaseous fuels
will continue to advance, but the initial ‘default’ response
to decarbonisation is focused on green electrification
solutions. This has created an insatiable demand for
variable renewable energy (VRE) solutions, which require
short-, medium- and long-term energy storage to maintain
system stability and energy security when the sun does
not shine, and the wind does not blow. The demand for
energy storage is accentuated by the planned accelerated
retirement of base load thermal plants.
This article explores the case for pumped storage hydro
to meet the medium- to long-term storage system and
market need, investigating its role in the generation mix and
the benefits with regards to system security. It also explores
the challenges governments and the private sector will need
to navigate to realise pumped storage’s value stream in a
net zero carbon future energy mix.

Why we need pumped storage hydro

Thermal baseload power plants were historically
constructed and operated to provide dispatchable
power (when it was needed) at the lowest per unit cost

62
nes the need for storage technologies in the energy
ly on pumped storage hydro.

ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 63

 of energy. However, the accelerated adoption of VRE has
significantly reduced the cost of solar photovoltaic (PV)
and wind power, making both technologies cheaper than
the short-run marginal cost of baseload coal. Pumped
storage hydro can play a significant role in this transition.
Paired with VRE, it can now compete on cost with new-build
baseload power plants (such as supercritical coal) and
provide a decarbonised and secure energy system solution
for consumers.
Pumped storage hydropower is not new – it is a tried
and trusted solution dating back more than 100 years.
Reversible hydropower turbines pump water from a lower
reservoir to an upper reservoir during periods of low
energy demand (when energy prices are cheap), releasing
it again to generate electricity when demand rises.
Colloquially, this is referred to as a ‘water battery’.
Markets and power systems globally are currently
adopting battery energy storage systems (BESS) at
unprecedented rates. But, compared with pumped hydro
storage solutions, BESS only solves VRE intermittency
issues for relatively short durations. By contrast, pumped
storage hydropower is currently the largest-capacity form
of grid energy storage that is proven and available. The
International Hydropower Association estimates that there
are more than 130 pumped storage hydropower plants
globally, which can store up to 9 TWh of electricity.
Figure 1. 250 MW Kidston hydro project landscape, North Queensland,
Australia. Source: Genex Power.
Figure 2. 250 MW hydro project aerial view. Source: Genex Power.
64 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
The additional benefits
Originally, the economic driver for pumped storage was
‘energy arbitrage’ – storing energy during cheaper off-peak
periods for use during peak periods, when prices are high.
In a renewable energy system, pumped storage hydro can
play additional roles such as regulating system voltage
and responding to the intermittency of renewable energy
sources (maintaining frequency) by providing dependable,
flexible, fast-responding generating capacity to help
stabilise low-carbon grids. 
The business case for pumped storage hydro is strong.
It is currently the only proven economic solution for bulk
energy storage at utility scale. Further, the lifespan of
pumped storage hydro is often several times longer than
most BESS. The Kidston pumped storage hydro project under
construction in Queensland, Australia, for example, has a
projected lifespan of at least 80 years. When compared to
BESS, many cycles of battery deployment would be required
to come close to this duration.
Hydro storage facilities are also a generator of inertia.
Power networks need inertia to ensure system security. The
accelerated retirement of thermal power plants reduces
system inertia, thus increasing the risk of system events,
including blackouts. Pumped storage hydro provides a
proven physical inertia to provide resistance to system
frequency changes triggered by system generation and
demand mismatches.
It also offers better security or reliability of supply.
Supplies of coal, gas, and liquid fuels are often
sensitive to geopolitical risks, whereas pumped storage
is a dispatchable renewable energy source that is
independent from the impacts of conventional fuel
supply chain risks and market pricing.
Pumped storage hydro is also considered ‘off-river’
– utilising or recycling essentially the same allocation
of water – and means it is not susceptible to the water
allocation and supply risks caused by climate change or
other geopolitical risks that can affect conventional run
of river hydro projects.
Many existing hydro sites are
already suitable for use as pumped
storage hydro sites with minimal
adjustment. The Australia National
University (ANU) in its Global Pumped
Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) Atlas
estimates that there are 616 000
existing facilities with feasible
potential to be turned into pumped
storage hydro sites, with a storage
potential of 23 million GWh.
The wider societal benefits should
also be recognised. Renewable
technologies have the potential to
promote economic development
through job creation in construction,
maintenance and operations, industry
and supply chains, and indirectly
in local commerce. For example,
the Chaglla hydropower dam Mott MacDonald
helped work on in Peru saw the creation of 12 500
direct jobs and 10 000 indirect jobs and improved
road access for rural communities. Pumped storage
hydro backs up these renewable technologies while
contributing itself to local economic development.

What needs to be done to deliver

success?
Pumped storage hydro solutions play a critical
part in enabling a secure and cost-effective
transition to a decarbonised energy future and
helping governments and businesses achieve their
net zero goals. Planning and incentivisation is Figure 3. 50 MW solar project aerial view. Source: Genex Power.
required, and the pace of both needs
to accelerate. Governments should
start by incentivising and supporting
the development of the industry
and projects locally through grants,
contracts for difference, and other
support mechanisms.
This would help overcome some of
the barriers to progress. For instance,
much of the lifetime cost of pumped
storage hydro is incurred during initial
construction. Historically, governments
or publicly owned organisations invested
in pumped storage hydro because they
were able to consider the whole-life
benefits beyond the high initial CAPEX.
In a market with high levels of energy
privatisation and without long-term
revenue certainty, investors are unwilling
to invest in pumped storage hydro.
High upfront costs were initially
also associated with wind and solar
PV technologies, but these have
Figure 4. At the Kidston site, Australia, surplus energy will be stored using pumped hydropower,
successfully been implemented into which can respond rapidly to meet spikes in demand or to cover short dips in solar or wind
energy markets, including private power output.
residences and small businesses,
through policy interventions to support
deployment. Without similar support for long-duration by traditional carbon-generating infrastructure. This
storage, it will become steadily more difficult to maintain should be re-evaluated, and governments can and should
grid reliability. encourage change through financial interventions.
Revenue generation from pumped storage differs Policymakers should also assess the long-term storage
from solar and wind, however. Pumped hydro is always needs of their future power system in the first instance,
consistent in its output if there is water in the reservoir ready so that the opportunity to build more efficient options –
to pump. including new hydro storage facilities or adapting existing
More work needs to be done to assess the revenue of hydro facilities into pumped storage hydro sites – is not lost.
pumped hydro sites to encourage investment, and tools These policymakers have the power to support a
such as the International Hydropower Association’s (ISA) technology that will prop up their markets and provide
sustainability tools can be utilised as a regulatory aid to security for generations to come. If green recovery and
provide the assurances that many investors need. ‘build back better’ initiatives are to be properly supported,
There are also several government-supported revenue pumped storage hydro should be a vital part of global
streams that other energy generation technologies can grids, strengthening resilience in energy markets and
take advantage of that are not open to pumped hydro. In meeting enshrined net zero targets. Without the necessary
many markets, long storage solutions that are charged by support, governments will open their markets up to the
renewable sources are treated the same as those charged vulnerabilities associated with energy transition.

ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 65

 Chris Poynter, President, ABB System Drives,
Switzerland, emphasises how the entire value
chain must be decarbonised in order to reach
the world’s net zero goals, discussing how these
alternatives need to be cost-effective, cleaner, and
more sustainable in order to be viable solutions.

66
 he journey to net zero carbon emissions is one of
the most complex, ambitious projects in human
history. There is no one technical solution that
will break the world’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Instead, every link of the value chain must be reviewed.
Only a comprehensive, collaborative approach will
enable the world to achieve its goals. For instance,
electrification within one industry is an excellent
step forward, but if the power is still coming from
carbon-intensive sources such as coal, the impact will
be limited. Instead, electrification must be paired with
low- or zero-carbon electricity generation. The same is true
across every industry – a narrow focus is not enough.
Simultaneously, the changes must be financially
viable. In a competitive market, expensive changes will
see limited adoption, but those that create commercial
value while also supporting
sustainability objectives will be
widely embraced.
A clean start to
the value chain:
renewable electricity
Today, almost all industrial
processes require electricity,
so electricity generation is at
the start of most value chains.
Historically, electricity generation
has involved extremely high
levels of carbon emissions, such
as from burning coal or natural
gas. For electrification to be
sustainable, electricity generation
processes must reduce carbon
emissions significantly.
Fortunately, renewable
solutions for electricity generation
– such as solar, hydroelectric, and
onshore and offshore wind – are
taking over. They already account
for a significant proportion of
total power generation, and their global market share
continues to increase every year.
Despite this, few countries have fully phased out
carbon-intensive power sources so far. This is in part
because renewable power output can fluctuate depending
on the weather or other unpredictable conditions.
Fluctuation can result in grid instability, so operators use
predictable fossil fuel plants to ensure a consistent supply
of electricity.
These high-emission facilities will need to be phased
out in the decades ahead to reach net zero. Even with the
contribution of technologies such as batteries, pumped
storage, and other energy storage options, as well as grid
stability technology such as synchronous condensers,
maintaining a stable, predictable energy supply will be a
complicated balancing act.
To overcome these challenges, researchers are
already conducting important grid stability experiments.
A partnership between ABB and the Fraunhofer Institute
for Wind Energy Systems (IWES), for instance, is currently
constructing the world’s largest mobile grid simulator. It will
begin operating in 2023, enabling researchers to reliably
test the performance of new equipment, so that they may
better understand the potential issues involved in shifting to
renewable wind energy and how to address them.
Going electric: changes in industry
Further along the value chain, there is also potential
for decarbonisation. Many industrial processes still
rely on carbon-intensive fossil-fuelled equipment. In
many cases, this equipment can easily be replaced with
electric alternatives. When powered by electricity from
renewable sources, this greatly reduces the carbon
emissions associated with a given process. In addition to
its sustainability benefits, electrification is often better in
terms of overall efficiency, reliability, and safety.
The operators of the Vafos pulp plant in Kragerø,
Norway, for example, cut emissions significantly through
electrification. The plant produces unbleached pulp for
cardboard production, and uses an energy-intensive
drying process that involved burning oil.
ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 67
 However, the plant has since switched to electric air
heaters. These heaters use a significant amount of power
and are paired with ABB’s specialised power controllers
to ensure they run as safely, precisely, and efficiently as
possible, minimising their impact on the grid. Since 98%
of Norway’s electrical production comes from renewable
sources, this means that the plant has eliminated 14 000 tpy
of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This is equivalent to
removing approximately 7000 combustion-engine cars
from the roads, and represents one of the community’s
Figure 1. The Vafos pulp plant in Kragerø, Norway, has eliminated 14 000 tpy of CO2
emissions through electrification.
Figure 2. It is critical to reliably test the impact of renewable energy equipment, such as those using wind power, for grid performance.
68 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
contributions to reaching net zero. The facility also benefits
from the fact that it no longer needs complex infrastructure
for storing and transporting oil.
Many electric options are drop-in replacements, but in
some cases, a clean-sheet design delivers better results.
This was the case in the Danish port of Esbjerg, which
wanted to electrify the heating of homes and businesses.
ABB delivered integrated electrical infrastructure for a
seawater heat pump.
The electric solution relies on a system of electric
motors, drives, and other technology to
deliver carbon-free heat to over 100 000
people. In Denmark, over 67% of the grid’s
electricity comes from renewable sources,
meaning that Esbjerg’s electrification project
has significantly reduced carbon emissions.
Efficiency: doing more with less
In addition to electrification and sustainable
electricity generation, industries must
also become more energy efficient. The
International Energy Agency (IEA) calls
energy efficiency the “first fuel” when it
comes to reaching net zero.
From pumps and compressors to fans,
conveyors, mixers, and even robots, there
are few facilities that function without
electric motors. In fact, electric motors
alone are responsible for 45% of all global
electricity consumption.
Adopting more advanced motors further
contributes to energy efficiency. Motor
efficiency in many countries is rated by the
International Efficiency (IE) standard, with IE5
motors currently denoting the best in class.
Each increase in IE class, such as from IE4 to IE5,
represents a 20% decrease in losses. Despite this,
many facilities still use older, less efficient motors
that were installed before these regulations came
into effect. Switching these motors to more modern
models, as well as pairing them with drives, would
significantly reduce their energy use.
Motors that can deliver the same output while
using less electricity – the goal of efficiency –
Figure 3. Adding variable speed drives to motors plays a key role in boosting
reduce both operating costs and emissions. Plus,
industrial energy efficiency.
by replacing existing electric motors with modern
models equipped with a variable speed drive (VSD),
operators can further cut the operating expenses
associated with their motors by approximately a quarter.
This is, in part, because VSDs match the motor’s speed
and torque to the requirements of the task. Without a
drive, motors always run at full speed. Operators control
the speed by opposing it mechanically – much like
applying the brakes in a car while keeping the other foot
on the accelerator. By comparison, a VSD enables precise
speed control.
The result of adopting a drive is electricity savings,
because any time the motor is not running at full speed,
it is using less power. This is particularly significant due
to the non-linear relationship between speed and power
consumption: a motor running at half speed uses just
one-eighth the electricity of one running at full speed.
Despite their energy saving potential, just 23% of all
industrial motors are currently paired with a drive.
Data-driven digital tools and services also contribute
to efficiency. For example, digitally connected motors and
drives within equipment can transmit data on variables
such as temperature and vibration directly to operators in
real time, helping them to identify areas where energy is
going to waste.
These same technologies also provide maintenance
benefits by automatically alerting operators to risks and
prompting them to take proactive action. This helps
facilities to avoid costly downtime – and in some cases,
maintenance can be performed remotely, saving labour
and logistics costs.
Tomorrow’s technologies: solutions on
the horizon
In addition to the many steps that can be taken today, there
are also technologies in earlier phases of development that
will likely contribute to reaching net zero.
One promising innovation is the use of green hydrogen
as a low- or zero-carbon fuel. Hydrogen is already in
use in existing industrial applications, and there is a real
ongoing effort to expand its industrial, infrastructure,
and transportation applications. As the technology
progresses, successfully rolling out hydrogen will depend
on creating a new infrastructure for production, storage,
distribution, and, ultimately, end use.
An example of a pioneer in the green hydrogen
industry is Plug Power Inc., a company which develops
hydrogen fuel cell systems that replace conventional
batteries in vehicles and equipment. The company has
recently announced plans to electrify two new hydrogen
plants using an Electrical House (eHouse) solution from
ABB. These plants will produce a combined 60 tpd of
green hydrogen, replacing 170 t of fossil fuels in the
logistics and transportation sectors. The pre-tested and
prefabricated eHouse substation enables the careful
management of the full electrical system, bringing down
costs and ensuring reliability.
Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage is another
development that could contribute to decarbonisation.
Capture and storage technology continues to advance at
a rapid pace, with recent breakthroughs in hydrocarbon
recovery and direct-air CO 2 capture. If carbon can be
safely captured, it can either be sequestered or current
technology can be used to put it to use as alternative fuels
or building materials.
Working together and looking at the
big picture
Today, fossil fuels still form the backbone of the global
industrial economy. Replacing this resource with cleaner,
more sustainable, and cost-effective alternatives will
undoubtedly be a challenge. However, by reviewing the
entire value chain and acting collectively, significant
strides can be taken towards achieving net zero.
In addition to a big picture approach, this will require
collaboration between individuals, businesses, industries,
and governments. There is no single action that will
resolve the climate crisis – only a combination of many
ambitious activities by organisations in many industries
will deliver the results that are needed.
ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 69
 SOLAR
GLOBAL NEWS
Cornerstone PPA for 400 MW
Tierra Bonita solar PV project
I ndependent power producer (IPP) Kenlov Renewable Energy
has confirmed the signing of its first ‘cornerstone’ power
purchase agreement (PPA) as it progresses its 1.5 GW
renewable energy development pipeline in the US.
The PPA covers 60% – or 235 MWdc – of the output of the
400 MW Tierra Bonita solar PV project in Texas, the US, for a
period of 20 years. The offtaker is CPS Energy (Moody’s Aa2),
the largest municipal electric utility in the US, which supplies
900 000 residents of nearby San Antonio, and the agreement
will ensure a steady long-term supply of clean energy
to the city.
It also constitutes a further milestone for Tierra Bonita
– a 2200-acre site, co-developed by Kenlov and Ashtrom,
which has already secured land rights and grid connection
approval. Following the successful signing of this landmark
PPA, the project is expected to enter construction during
2Q23, with the start of commercial operation anticipated at
the end of 2024.
The remaining 165 MWdc output of the project and its
green certificates will be sold on a merchant basis in the open
electricity market in Texas.
For Kenlov, this news represents a further step forward as
the business progresses its substantial pipeline of solar and
wind projects in the US.
Voltalia accelerates UK growth with two solar projects
V H Global Sustainable Energy Opportunities (GSEO) has agreed
to acquire three solar photovoltaic (PV) sites in Australia for
£21.2 million as part of the existing £50 million commitment to
its Australian solar PV and storage investment programme (the
‘Australian Energy Transition Programme’).
The Australian Energy Transition Programme was originally
announced in August 2021 with operating partner Birdwood Energy.
Phase I, announced in late 2021, consisted of the acquisition of
two operating solar PV sites with a combined capacity of 17 MW.
Phase II, being the construction of co-located battery energy
storage systems (BESS) has already commenced on one of the two
Phase I sites. The addition of BESS will allow greater operationality
to capture positive power price movements, prevent over-exposure
to negative power prices, and allow them to earn revenues from
providing frequency response services to the local grid.
70 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022
SOLAR
Serentica Renewables to install
1500 MW of hybrid wind and
solar capacity
S
erentica Renewables has announced the launch of a
renewable energy platform in India. This green energy
company will focus on providing round-the-clock carbon-free
power to large consumers of energy in India. It will specialise
in providing end-to-end green solutions to the consumers,
including connectivity to the appropriate transmission network.
Serentica plans to install approximately 1500 MW of
solar and wind power across multiple sites in the states of
the Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, India, where
the company has already acquired connectivity approvals.
A large part of this capacity will be used to deliver close to
600 MW of round-the-clock clean energy to various entities
of the Vedanta Group. The capacity will be commissioned
in 24 months, subject to statutory approvals. Serentica will
also participate selectively in government tenders subject
to the project having synergies with its overall focus of
providing direct green energy solutions to commercial and
industrial customers.
In the medium-term, Serentica aims to install 5000 MW
of carbon-free generation capacity coupled with different
storage technologies. Eventually, it aims to supply over
15 billion units of clean energy annually and displace
20 million t of CO2 emissions.
Phase III of the Australian Energy Transition Programme
comprises an initial three new solar PV sites of 5 MW each, located
in New South Wales, Australia. The construction of these three sites
is expected to begin 3Q22, with completion and commissioning
expected 2Q23. The company retains exclusively over a further
two sites of 5 MW each under Phase III.
As part of a potential Phase IV of the
Australian Energy Transition Programme, the company is
also evaluating, subject to further due diligence, the ability
to construct BESS alongside the Phase III assets. All solar PV
generation assets are expected to combine merchant sales
and long-term corporate PPA revenues as well as large scale
generation certificates. In addition, investors are expected to
benefit from revenues stemming from profitable energy arbitrage
opportunities and frequency services revenues.
ENERGY STORAGE
GLOBAL NEWS
Powin acquires EKS
G lobal energy storage platform provider, Powin LLC,
has announced the acquisition of EKS Energy, a
leading provider of advanced power electronics and energy
management solutions for energy storage and renewables.
This transaction ensures new and existing Powin customers will
receive enhanced product and technology offerings, enabling
Powin to deliver a fully integrated grid scale energy storage
experience with supply chain security.
As the world transitions to cleaner energy sources,
global demand for energy storage will continue to surge to
an estimated market of US$49 billion by 2028, according
to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. To better serve this
fast-growing market, this acquisition expands Powin’s offering
to include the EKS Power Conversion System and Power Plant
Controller, enabling Powin to deliver a complete AC energy
storage platform capable of advanced control functionality to
support microgrid applications while interfacing with multiple
generation assets.
Other new products include PV inverters, DC-to-DC
converters, and multi-port inverters, which are used
to maximise performance and profits for utility scale
solar-plus-energy-storage projects.
Conrad Energy receives planning approval for 50 MW BESS
C onrad Energy has recently secured planning consent for
a 50 MW 2 hr battery energy storage system (BESS) in
North Petherton, Somerset, UK. The approval demonstrates
Conrad Energy’s commitment to enabling the UK’s ambitious
net zero plans and reflects their continuing investment in
energy storage.
The project will use local topography and innovative design
to conceal the scheme within the landscape. Additional planting
Diary dates
RE-Source 2022
06 – 07 October 2022
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
https://resource-platform.eu/re-source-2022-event/
Floating Offshore Wind
12 –13 October 2022
Aberdeen, UK
https://events.renewableuk.com/fow22-overview
Alfen partners with Ellevio to deliver
Sweden’s largest grid scale battery
S
wedish energy company, Ellevio, is expanding its scope to
help industries and businesses become fossil-free through
electrification. Its first project includes Alfen’s 10 MW modular energy
storage system, TheBattery ElementsTM, which enables optimal use
of renewable energy and stability in the power grid.
Sweden is one of the first countries in the world to adopt a net
zero emissions target, which it intends to achieve by 2045. Sweden
expects to more than double its electricity consumption over the next
25 years, while using wind power as its main source of new electricity
generation. Depending on how much wind there is, the amount of
electricity fed into the grid will vary. If the balance is disturbed, there
is a risk of disruptions in the electricity system that can be both costly
and lead to dangerous grid outages.
Alfen’s TheBattery Elements can help balance these disruptions.
It is an industrial and modular energy storage system equipped
with fast frequency reserve control technology that can handle the
fluctuations (low inertia situations) in the Nordic grid using synthetic
inertia. It requires very fast response times (<0.7 secs.) which are
also supported by Alfen’s in-house developed software platform.
TheBattery system can also be used for other grid services and/or
energy trading.
and landscaping will boost the local habitat with an estimated
biodiversity net gain score of 22.3% and 100% for hedgerow units,
enhancing the local landscape and providing shelter for birds,
animals, and insects.
This announcement comes as Conrad Energy’s 15 MW 4 hr BESS
in Plympton, Devon, the UK, recently achieved planning approval,
as well as the planning approval for the company’s first strategic
solar development at Larport, Herefordshire, the UK, in May.
Solar & Storage Live 2022
18 – 20 October 2022
Birmingham, UK
www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/solar-storage-live/index.stm
Global Hydrogen Conference 2022
16 November 2022
Online
https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/ghc22/
ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022 71
 WIND

GLOBAL NEWS
Pattern Energy closes financing of Certex UK wins Seagreen offshore
Japan’s largest offshore wind power wind farm framework
and storage project
C ertex UK, based in Doncaster, the UK, has won a major
framework to supply statutory inspection and maintenance
P attern Energy Group LP and its affiliate in Japan,
Green Power Investment Corp., have completed financing and
begun full construction of its 112 MW Ishikari offshore wind project,
of Balance of Plant (BoP) equipment at the 114 turbine, 1075 MW
Seagreen offshore wind farm, located off the coast of Angus,
Scotland, in the North Sea firth. The framework, won via tender, is
located approximately 3 km from the shore of the Ishikaro Bay
for three years, plus a two-year extension.
in Hokkaido, Japan. Ishikari Wind will feature a battery storage
A £3 billion joint venture between TotalEnergies (51%) and
component with 100 MW x 180 MWh of capacity.
SSE Renewables (49%), Seagreen, located approximately
The Ishikari offshore wind project and accompanying battery
17 miles offshore, will be Scotland’s largest, and the world’s
storage component is expected to reach commercial operation
deepest, fixed-bottom offshore wind farm. V164-10 MW turbines
in December 2023. The project has a 20-year power purchase
have been positioned on each of the 114 bases. First power was
agreement with Hokkaido Electric Power Network, Inc. for 100% of
recently announced.
the power output.
Certex UK’s work will primarily relate to the transition jackets
Ishikari offshore wind will utilise 14 Siemens Gamesa 8 MW
in addition to personal protective equipment (PPE), including fall
wind turbines, which are built specifically for offshore use. The
arrest systems, davit cranes, anchor points, and ladders.
SG 8.0-167 DD offshore turbine is designed to meet local codes and
Certex UK, which will also deliver services to an operations and
standards regarding typhoons, seismic activities, 50 Hz operation,
maintenance site in Montrose, Scotland, will commit a two-person
as well as operation in high and low ambient temperatures. The
team, working in rotation via a service operation vessel covering
turbines and its supporting structure (pile foundation, jacket, and
offshore scopes all year round. The company will leverage
tower) received ClassNK certification, confirming it meets the
resources from its own Montrose facility.
stringent technical standards required by the Japanese government
to approve construction.

ENERTRAG inaugurates 186 MW

Dunowo wind project in Poland
THE RENEWABLES
REWIND
W ith the inauguration of the Dunowo project, ENERTRAG has
commissioned one of the largest wind projects in Poland and
the largest ENERTRAG project to date.
>> BOEM enhances its processes to identify future
offshore wind energy areas
The Dunowo wind project is located near the city of Koszalin
in northwestern Poland and was successfully commissioned in the >> Minesto starts commissioning of second
course of this year. The official opening ceremony followed, which ‘Dragon 4’ tidal energy power plant
was celebrated with representatives of local institutions, project >> Sulzer and BASF sign renewable fuel MoU
partners, land owners, grid operators, and investors.
The two sub-projects (Dargikowo and Karlino), with a total
Follow our website and social media pages for more
capacity of 186 MW, will generate approximately 600 000 MWh/yr
updates, industry news, and technical articles.
of clean energy. The Dargikowo wind field includes 43 wind turbines
with a capacity of 133 MW, while 16 turbines with a capacity of 53 MW
www.energyglobal.com
generate electricity at the Karlino wind field.
Both sub-projects feed their energy into the Dunowo substation
of the Polish transmission system operator PSE S. A. A total capacity
of 250 MW is available there, offering the possibility to connect
further projects.

72 ENERGY GLOBAL AUTUMN 2022

GREEN HYDROGEN
GLOBAL NEWS
Everfuel launches plan for Holstebro hub
to scale green hydrogen
E verfuel A/S has announced its plan to build a hydrogen hub in
Holstebro, Denmark, to support regional energy transition and
accelerate the scale-up of green hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel for
industry and mobility. The hub will be developed in two phases in close
collaboration with partners within industry and mobility, with the aim
of establishing safe, reliable, and efficient local supply of clean energy.
Everfuel, the local municipality, and the other hub partners will
work towards a greener Holstebro city by exploring the potential
for using green hydrogen in industrial processes and in mobility. By
realising all three phases, the hub will enable a significant reduction in
the municipality’s CO2 emissions by feeding carbon-free hydrogen into
a large share of the municipalitiy’s activities.
In phase one, expected to be commissioned in 2023, the
hub-partners will explore production of e-methane and the use of
hydrogen in industrial gas burners to produce e-methane at local
biogas facilities and start testing using hydrogen in the current
natural gas pipelines. In phase two, Everfuel intends to build a
100 MW electrolyser, a hydrogen terminal, a distribution centre, and
a hydrogen refuelling station for both heavy-duty and passenger
vehicles. The location has already been secured for the electrolysis
facility, and the development is planned to commence in 2025.
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Air Products and ABP partner on
renewable hydrogen production
A ir Products and Associated British Ports (ABP) have announced
their intention to partner in bringing the first large scale green
hydrogen production facility to the UK.
The facility would import green ammonia from production
locations operated by Air Products and its products around the
world. This would be used to produce green hydrogen, which would
decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as transport and industry.
The UK government has plans for 10 GW of low-carbon hydrogen
to be in production or construction by 2030. Currently, there is
no significant domestic production of such hydrogen in the UK.
Air Products, as a first mover, aims to help drive progress towards the
government’s targets, addressing the urgent task of decarbonising
hard-to-abate sectors, and reduce the UK’s dependency on fossil fuels.
The project will bring a wide range of benefits to Immingham
and the UK, including eliminating up to 580 000 tpy of greenhouse
gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 20 000 diesel heavy good
vehicles off UK roads, as well as reducing nitrous oxide and particulate
emissions. In addition, the project will bring up to US$4.6 billion
in growth and financial benefits to the region, and provide
approximately 1400 direct jobs and 1600 indirect jobs for supply chains
and local businesses.
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