TenneT and Siemens Energy have introduced the world’s first E-STATCOM with supercapacitors. The compensator system is intended to introduce artificial inertia into the German power grid in order to stabilize it and avoid blackouts.
The energy transition poses major challenges for the power grids, as conventional power plants such as coal-fired and nuclear power plants are gradually being shut down. For decades, these conventional systems not only provided electricity, but also stability, with their massive, rotating generators keeping the grid frequency constant at 50 Hertz.
If demand increased or a generator failed, the kinetic energy of these rotating masses served as a buffer, giving grid operators time to react. Without this buffer, the lack of grid stability can lead to equipment damage, cascading failures, or even nationwide power outages.
E-STATCOM with supercapacitors: Artificial inertia as a stabilizer for the power grid
Switching to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar systems connected by inverters exacerbates the problem as they do not add inertia to the grid. This is where the world’s first E-STATCOM comes into play.
This is a technology that was developed by TenneT Germany and Siemens Energy in Germany. The system stabilizes the grid by using supercapacitors that deliver short bursts of energy in milliseconds, creating a type of “artificial inertia.”
The E-STATCOM simultaneously stabilizes both the voltage and the frequency in the power grid. It acts as a reservoir for instant electrical energy. This stability is consistently maintained around the clock, mitigating key network challenges and preventing blackouts.
A model for future networks
The Mehrum location was deliberately chosen because it lies exactly between two north-south corridors and from there it can influence the network stability on both corridors.
The technology is an important step for the integration of renewable energies. Without a modernized grid that ensures stable transmission of renewable energy, the energy transition cannot be successful. The E-STATCOM in Mehrum is considered an important project that proves that the global energy transition is feasible.
At the same time, it serves as a blueprint for renewable-capable networks worldwide. After the construction phase, the system will be tested for months before it goes into commercial operation.
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