Forecasts for demand have been accurate, excess energy and capacity has been sold, and generation assets have started and stopped automatically. Throughout its operation, the system has operated entirely automatically, with Kettunen’s team only required to monitor performance. Not once have we had to do a black start, which means we have been able to keep the power on.” “We have had many incidents where, due to DSO faults, the microgrid has automatically transitioned to island operation. “The most challenging events that the microgrid faced were mainly related to island operation,” he adds. “We were doing a pioneer project and we expected to face challenges, mostly related to combining many different systems from many different suppliers, so it was crucial to have local businesses involved.” “In general, viability increases with the number of companies that join the energy community,” says Kettunen. Fortunately, despite some regulatory hurdles concerning the distribution of electricity over property boundaries, there was a high degree of interest. Located in the Marjamäki industry area, the project depended to a large degree on the willingness of local businesses and communities to participate. “Companies that would like to invest in renewable energy but are not sure of its viability are more likely to invest in such a system because the risks are shared by the community.” The pioneer spirit “The main drivers were to help to achieve carbon neutrality targets and make renewable energy more viable, by producing and consuming energy locally,” explains Mikko Kettunen, development manager at Lempäälän Lämpö Oy and project manager of Lemene. Siemens designed a smart medium-voltage microgrid with grid automation and electrical storage systems to create an energy grid that was not only cost-effective and environmentally friendly but also guaranteed secure electricity supply. One way to create a new mindset is to have real, working examples of microgrids in action, using stable, proven, resilient renewable technologies to power small communities in a clean and efficient way.īack in 2018, Siemens and Lempäälän Energia began working on Project Lemene – an initiative to implement a self-sufficient smart grid system in the municipality of Lempäälä, Finland, 170km north of Helsinki. At the same time, renewables have become cheaper and the growing importance of e-mobility has forced us to think about how to power EVs without connecting to the grid.” ![]() “Now, regulations have changed to incentivise businesses, building owners and everyone else to focus on energy efficiency. “Ten years ago, when we were talking about reducing carbon emissions it was a utility discussion,” Reischböck continues. “It is a new concept, but – though not everybody accepts it yet – the energy landscape is changing, so we need to have an open mind to new alternatives. “There have been microgrids powered by diesel but, in recent years, there have been real commercial projects using renewable energy and battery storage,” says Markus Reischböck, technical head of Siemens Microgrids. Microgrids are small power grids that combine many power sources, including PV, wind, hydropower, biomass and biodiesel generators, with energy storage modules and intelligent control systems to ensure a secure supply of renewable energy for a small community or industrial area. In fact, some of the most exciting developments and uses around grid edge technologies are taking place well away from larger city campuses. This has been recognised by a growing number of communities connected to the main power grid, but wanting to incorporate locally generated, renewable sources into their energy mix without compromising the reliability of their power supply.Īs a result, such sites are fast becoming vital test beds for the rapidly developing concept of the sustainable microgrid.
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