ANDRITZ and Mercedes-Benz Energy sign cooperation agreement to supply large battery energy storage systems for hydropower plants

The hybrid energy solution offered by ANDRITZ and Mercedes-Benz Energy combines a hydropower unit with a stationary energy storage based on automotive lithium-ion battery systems from Mercedes-Benz. Compared to a conventional hydropower application, it can enhance the operational range of the unit according to the size of the battery. The stored energy, which is made available very quickly, offers new opportunities for power plant owners and operators to compensate any volatile electrical impact from the grid to the units. This can extend the lifetime of mechanical components. In addition, the hybrid solution opens up new approaches to providing grid services and features like black-start support and virtual inertia. Even with changing water regulations and unknown future legal requirements, the solution guarantees highest operational flexibility of the hydropower plant.

The system can be applied to all types and sizes of hydropower plant (low head, run-of-river, high head) and to all turbine types. It can be installed either in greenfield applications or retrofitted to existing facilities, covering battery capacities from 200 kWh up to 10 MWh.

The change in the global energy market – from fossil fuel-based power generation to a carbon-free, renewable future – brings along many structural changes. The best way to deal with this is to combine the best features of all systems involved – a hybrid solution. Hybrid energy solutions are defined as a combination of technologies from one or more generations, comprising at least one renewable energy source, and an energy storage system that ensures maximum reliability and security of the energy supply.

This cooperation with Mercedes-Benz Energy fuses a long history and market-leading expertise in hydropower technology with innovative battery technology that opens up new opportunities for the hydropower market.

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ANDRITZ GROUP
International technology group ANDRITZ offers a broad portfolio of innovative plants, equipment, systems and services for the pulp and paper industry, the hydropower sector, the metals processing and forming industry, pumps, solid/liquid separation in the municipal and industrial sectors, as well as animal feed and biomass pelleting. The global product and service portfolio is rounded off with plants for power generation, recycling, the production of nonwovens and panelboard, as well as automation and digital solutions offered under the brand name of Metris. The publicly listed group today has around 27,800 employees and more than 280 locations in over 40 countries.

ANDRITZ HYDRO
ANDRITZ Hydro is one of the globally leading suppliers of electromechanical equipment and services for hydropower plants. With over 175 years of experience and an installed fleet of more than 430 GW output, the business area provides complete solutions for hydropower plants of all sizes as well as services for plant diagnosis, refurbishment, modernization and upgrade of existing hydropower assets. Pumps for irrigation, water supply and flood control as well as turbo generators are also part of this business area’s portfolio.

MERCEDES-BENZ ENERGY
Headquartered in Kamenz, Mercedes-Benz Energy is responsible for the development of innovative energy storage solutions as a subsidiary of Daimler AG. They are based on the automotive battery technology used in electric and hybrid vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and smart. The spectrum for the large-capacity storage applications of Mercedes-Benz Energy ranges from peak load compensation via Black Start to uninterruptible power supply (UPS). The focus of the company is in particular on applications from the field of 2nd-life and spare parts storage. More information about Mercedes-Benz Energy is available at: www.mercedes-benz-energy.com