Storing up new revenue streams for hydro

Large battery energy storage systems are becoming more widely accepted around the world with a growing volume of utility-scale battery storage systems already operating successfully. Typically connected to the electricity grid, large-scale energy storage supports transmission service operators (TSOs) in ensuring system stability but can also store enough renewable energy to power hundreds of thousands of homes.

The main drivers for this development are rapidly falling battery prices and ongoing technological progress that is allowing batteries to store ever-larger amounts of energy cheaply and efficiently. One of the key players in the sector is the global automotive industry, which is continuously developing smaller, cheaper, and more powerful lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.

Two strong partners – one innovative hybrid solution

Always a technology pioneer, ANDRITZ Hydro is one of the first global suppliers to offer a hybrid solution pairing a large battery with a hydropower plant. In December 2020, ANDRITZ Hydro and Mercedes-Benz Energy (MBE) signed a cooperation agreement to promote and supply HyBaTec – the most modern hybrid energy storage solution for the hydropower market.

What is driving uptake of battery energy storage solutions?

Key drivers for investors, developers, owners, and operators interested in new technical solutions are the potential increase in revenue and/or the reduction in operational expenses. This is also valid for a hybrid battery solution. Based on the rapid response time of the whole system and the wider energy range, additional, and until now untapped, business opportunities are potentially available for owners that can deliver additional revenue streams from services like primary control. Where there is a constant discharge through the hydropower plant, HyBaTec offers new possibilities to increase daily revenue by shifting grid supply from base load to peak load tariff periods. There are other economic benefits too. A lot of hydropower plants around the world are older than 40 years and the challenge of modern grid codes and the volatility of renewables like wind and solar have a direct impact on the mechanical components of a hydropower plant. HyBaTec has the potential to reduce these impacts and smooth the operation of the units. This reduces stresses and leads to an extended lifespan.

When should I consider a hybrid battery solution?

It doesn’t matter if it’s a greenfield or brownfield hydropower plant – it is always possible to benefit from a hybrid energy storage project. At the project development stage, it could offer new technical designs that can reduce the civil and electro-mechanical capital investments needed. For existing projects, it provides an interesting solution to emerging market challenges by widening the energy output range and increasing the flexibility of the plant.

Will HyBaTec fit my plant?

Battery-based hybrid solutions have a huge variety of possible applications in hydropower and can be integrated into all types of plants. Low head, high head, run-of-river and across all output sizes from the smallest to the largest hydropower projects, every plant is suitable for additional battery storage capability. Typically, battery capacities range from 500 kWh up to 30 MWh, depending on the specific use case.

In large-scale applications, HyBaTec is able to provide a new approach to compensate for the mechanical stresses found inside penstocks. For mid- to small-size or run-of-river stations, the most requested additional functionalities provided by the HyBaTec system are energy shifting (arbitrage) from base load to peak load or for providing ancillary services for the grid. Island operation or black start capability is also possible, another particular advantage in some communities and rural areas, for example.

In addition to conventional hydropower applications, HyBaTec is also able to integrate with new hybrid technology approaches such as floating PV, or co-located smaller wind, solar, or tidal current energy generation.

Author: Jens Päutz