H2Expo in parallel with WindEnergy Hamburg 2014 – storage solutions at the focus of both industries

The H2Expo industrial trade fair will be held from 23 to 26 September 2014 in parallel with the leading international wind industry expo WindEnergy Hamburg, which takes place for the first time at the Hamburg Fair site. H2Expo presents approaches for the integration of renewables in the energy market, with solutions for energy storage and mobility. Thanks to its synergies with the wind industry, this trade fair also gives visitors a wide range of information and networking opportunities. The city of Hamburg is the ideal venue for this, as a leading showcase of hydrogen technology and fuel cells.

The storage of power from wind turbines will be a key subject at WindEnergy Hamburg – after all this is also a vital element in the success of Germany’s “Energiewende”. A number of companies that are active in the wind industry also have components and solutions for energy storage in their portfolio. General Electric (GE) includes in its exhibits a turbine of the “Brilliant” series, that is a 2.5 MW model for sites with low to medium wind speeds. A novelty is optional battery storage incorporated in the converter’s DC-link. The main storage operating functionalities envisaged are stabilization of short-term power fluctuations and frequency control. Maximum battery capacity per turbine is 200 kW, and at wind farm level either all installations or only a certain proportion of them can be fitted with batteries. There is further choice between lithium-type and sodium-sulphur batteries. The business model is focused on the premium utilities which will pay for increased grid stability with voltage regulation but depending on specific grid-market circumstances.

Innovative solutions under development

Hamburg exhibitor Enercon has long experience with renewable energy storage technology solutions including island power systems comprising wind turbines, batteries, flywheels, and hydrogen production/storage. Enercon together with dedicated partners is working on a number of energy storage pilot projects, for which it provides the turbines and in-house developed power converters, control and system integration technology. One key example of such pilot project in cooperation with partner Energiequelle is a large 10 MW battery storage system with lithium-ion batteries currently being built in the German sustainable town Feldheim. Once operational the plant will function as a ‘regulating power station’ at regional level. Stored energy can either be sold on the energy stock market and/or used for the town’s temporary electricity supply.

Other Hamburg exhibitors will likewise inform visitors about their ongoing R&D efforts in the energy storage solutions area. Vanadis Power provides information on a Vanadium Redox Flow Battery it supplies to Energiespeicher Nord GmbH. The 1 MWh system can supply 325 kW peak power and is one of the world’s largest employing Redox Flow batteries. Envisaged benefits include a 20-year lifetime without capacity degradation during multiple charge-discharge cycles, relatively low-cost especially for large capacities, and inherent low fire risk compared with other battery types.
Sumitomo Electric Industries of Japan will show WindEnergy visitors its achievements in stable energy storage and the benefits of Redox Flow Battery systems including their integration in future smart grids.

German testing, certification, inspection and training provider TÜV-SÜD offers the market a new Renewable Energy Storage Systems (RESS) certificate, in support of the rapid worldwide expansion of renewable and distributed power generation. This certification focuses on stationary battery storage systems, enabling a reliable transparent assessment of their efficiency and effectiveness, thereby benefitting manufacturers, retailers, installation firms and end users alike. The test standard involves an assessment of the mechanical, electrical and software related design features, and includes safety, environmental and network compliance testing, document review and manufacturing facility on-site inspections.

Storage Tour and presentations

To show the wide range of products and services, the “Storage Tour” guides visitors to exhibitors involved in this subject. Information on this is available at http://windenergyhamburg.com/fuer-besucher/programm/storage-tour/. Approaches for integration of renewables in the energy market will also be covered in presentations, offering solutions for storage and mobility. Experts address the major subjects that concern the industry at the FORUM in Hall B6. “Storage for the Energiewende” will specifically be the subject on 23 September, with expert presentations by E.ON Innovation Center Energy Storage, Siemens AG Industry Solutions, the German Energy Agency (dena) and others.  http://windenergyhamburg.com/en/for-visitors/programme/forum/23092014/
 
Other focal points, and Ride & Drive

Other focal points at H2Expo are electromobility, hydrogen and fuel cells. The exhibitors in these areas include NOW – National Organisation for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association, balticFuelCells and KBB Underground Technologies. The FORUM also discusses matters such as System Integration, Infrastructure and Mobility, and Health & Safety.

Vehicles with alternative propulsion systems are available for visitors to test on the Ride & Drive Course at the Fair site. The vehicles for testing include the Mercedes-Benz F-CELL, the Honda FCX Clarity, and the Toyota FCHV-adv. The Toyota Motor Europe stand also presents the prototype Toyota FCV. The hydrogen driven fuel cell model is to be launched in the market next year, initially in Japan and then in Europe and the USA.

H2Expo and WindEnergy Hamburg

H2Expo will be held from 23 to 26 September 2014 in parallel with WindEnergy Hamburg. The leading global expo for the on- and offshore wind industry will be held from 23 to 26 September, open daily from 9:00 to 18:00 hours. Information on the exhibitors, admission prices, online tickets, travel, and tips on Hamburg itself, are available at http://www.h2expo.com/ and www.windenergyhamburg.com. This leading international industry show is held at the Hamburg Fair site every two years.