EnergyLab Nordhavn demonstrates first grid integrated battery storage in Denmark

Energy Electricity supply Energy efficiency Energy storage Energy production Energy systems Solar energy Wind energy

Later this afternoon a large battery connected to the main grid in Nordhavn is officially inaugurated. The battery is part of the EnergyLab Nordhavn project, developing and demonstrating energy solutions of the future. Fully charged the battery holds power to supply 60 households with energy for 24 hours.

(Center for Electric Power and Energy at DTU Electrical Engineering is partner in EnergyLab Nordhavn)

Later this afternoon a large battery connected to the main grid in Nordhavn is officially inaugurated. The battery is part of the EnergyLab Nordhavn project, developing and demonstrating energy solutions of the future. Fully charged the battery holds power to supply 60 households with energy for 24 hours.

The battery is an important milestone for EnergyLab Nordhavn demonstrating how large batteries can be integrated into the power grid.  The green transition and new consumption patterns are both great challenges for the power grid.  In a few years we will see significant increases in the power demand from electric vehicles, electric heating and heat pumps.  At the same time the amount of energy produced from renewables such as solar and wind power will rise. This is all good. However, solar and wind power production fluctuates.

To utilize the power produced from renewables we need to think about storage solutions.  The battery is key not least when it comes to reducing the peak load on the grid – also called peak shaving. Furthermore, a more cost effective operation of the grid is also part of the long term expectations.

Bringing competencies and expertise together

EnergyLab Nordhavn not only presents some of the newest and most innovative smart city solutions. The project is also a best case example of how partners from different industries and sectors can work together developing and demonstrating future energy solutions.  

“EnergyLab Nordhavn brings together a variety of partners, competences and expertise enabling development of new sustainable solutions for the future energy system. These solutions are crucial for reaching the ambitious political goal of turning Copenhagen into the world’s first carbon neutral capital in 2025”, says Jakob Møller Nielsen, Director of Urban development in the Technical and Environmental Administration, Copenhagen and Chairman of the EnergyLab Nordhavn Steering Group.

The installation and the operation of the battery is a joint effort between ABB, Radius and By & Havn. ABB has supplied the battery while Radius is responsible for its operation and deployment as an element for testing and development in the project, in which the industrial partners, utilities and authorities work closely with a large group of researchers from DTU. The battery is located in the parking facility “P-hus Lüders” operated by By & Havn.

According to Knud Pedersen, Chairman of the Board at Radius, Nordhavn is close to the perfect laboratory.  “In the future, grid integrated batteries will most likely become a necessary technology if we are to maintain a high security of supply.  Tests have now started, showing how the technology and corresponding market solutions contribute to this end, including how the grid can be operated more cost efficiently”, he says.

About EnergyLab Nordhavn

The project “EnergyLab Nordhavn – new urban energy infrastructures” will develop and demonstrate future energy solutions. The project utilizes Copenhagen’s Nordhavn as a full-scale smart city energy lab and demonstrates how electricity and heating, energy-efficient buildings and electric transport can be integrated into an intelligent, flexible and optimized energy system. The project participants are: DTU, City of Copenhagen, CPH City & Port Development, HOFOR, Radius, ABB, Balslev, Danfoss, CleanCharge, METRO THERM, Glen Dimplex and the PowerLab facilities. The project is supported by EUDP (Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme) and runs from 2015-2019.