Second Major Upside Battery-Storage System With SMA Technology Goes Into Operation in Saxony

“The large-scale battery storage system successfully provided grid support for the first time even before the system was officially commissioned,” said Enrique Garralaga Rojas (Dr.-Ing.), general manager of SMA Sunbelt Energy GmbH. “In January, a major blackout almost occurred in Europe due to a significant drop in frequency to below 50 Hz; thanks to the use of battery-storage systems such as those in Bennewitz and Langenreichenbach, a failure of the electricity supply was prevented,” continued Rojas. “The SMA solution including Sunny Central Storage battery inverters and the SMA Hybrid Controller ensures optimal integration of the storage system into the utility grid.”

“The lead-carbon storage system in Bennewitz has a capacity of 25 MWh and is used, just like the other battery-storage systems from the Upside Group, to provide services of benefit to the grid,” said Marc Reimer, general manager at Upside. “In this project, we are once again placing our trust in SMA’s coordinated system solution because charging and discharging of batteries can be optimally controlled using the powerful SMA battery inverters. As such, the large-scale storage system contributes to both grid relief in the entire region and the stabilization of the Central European utility grid.”

Bennewitz is already the second joint project for SMA Sunbelt Energy GmbH and the investor, Upside Invest GmbH & Co. KG. Just like in the 25 MWh project in Langenreichenbach, lead-carbon batteries from Narada and Sunny Central Storage battery inverters compensate for grid fluctuations and ensure grid stability. In total, 18 containers with more than 10,500 battery cells and nine battery inverters were installed on bases in such a way that they are safe from floods and connected to the utility grid for the large-scale battery-storage system. The batteries come from China, have a service life of 20 years and are recyclable.

About Upside
The Upside Group develops, maintains and operates its own portfolio of PV power plants and battery-storage systems for the provision of grid management services. In addition, the Upside Group offers a consultancy service to companies worldwide on the construction of turnkey projects, financing and challenging issues in the energy industry.

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