01-07-2022
Increasing the resilience of the power system: One of the most important energy projects is under way
Installation of one of the most important energy projects in terms of national security – the 200MW battery system – officially commenced today at the Vilnius transformer substation. In case of an accident in the power system, these batteries are able to start supplying energy and resume energy supply throughout Lithuania in a matter of seconds.
Minister of Energy Dainius Kreivys says that the project marks a new qualitative level of network resilience and will help Lithuania implement one of the most important tasks before synchronisation – the ability to work in isolated mode, i.e. independently.
“The equipment that is now being installed will help ensure the stability and reliability of our power system in the event of disruptions, whether we are operating within the continental European network or independently,” says the minister. He adds, “The war in Ukraine has only once again demonstrated the need for full energy independence, so with the beginning of the installation of the batteries, we are witnessing the beginning of another important stage for energy independence. We are prepared for any actions against our power system.”
A total of four 50MWh batteries will be installed in Lithuania, at the transformer substations in Vilnius, Šiauliai, Alytus District and Utena District.
The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. After synchronisation with the continental European network, this system will contribute to the rapid integration of growing renewable energy sources by storing solar and wind power and returning it to the grid if needed.
The equipment, which was manufactured according to state-of-the-art lithium-ion energy-storage technology, is the first of its kind not only in Lithuania or the Baltic States. This Lithuanian energy storage system with a combined output and capacity of 200MW/200MWh is one of the largest and one of the first in Europe.
The value of the project is EUR 109 million, the bulk of which is being funded by the European Union.
The project is being implemented by Energy Cells, which is part of the state-owned EPSO-G Group. More: www.energy-cells.eu.