Hitachi America, Ltd. and Demansys Energy LLC have reached an agreement to perform a demonstration project utilizing Hitachi’s “CrystEna” compact container-type energy storage system in the market for frequency regulation and capacity services, and that site installation work will soon commence. The demonstration, which is designed to confirm the benefits of using the CrystEna energy storage system for grid stabilization, will run for two years, beginning in June 2014.
Recently, regulators, grid operators, utilities, and research organizations have projected the need for additional grid storage systems to help ensure reliable power system operation as an increasing percentage of intermittent energy sources, such as wind and PV power generation, are brought on-line. Throughout the USA, numerous new entrants, including storage resources, are demonstrating their ability to provide frequency regulation and capacity services.
Hitachi’s CrystEna is a complete energy storage system. The system was developed with an emphasis on long operating life, providing significant commercial value. It uses Hitachi’s control systems and power conditioning systems (PCS), and lithium-ion batteries from Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.. Its enhanced economics are due to both its compact design and system performance improvements.
Demansys is participating in frequency regulation and reserves programs throughout the Northeastern US, using its Grid Daemon platform to supply grid operators with highly-reliable services involving real-time control and management of energy storage and behind-the-meter energy assets. It also has the ability to provide capacity services and plans to do so from the New Jersey-based demonstration project.
Demansys will be responsible for overall coordination of the new demonstration project. The demonstration involves the installation of a Hitachi CrystEna system in New Jersey, not far from Philadelphia. To verify the system’s effectiveness for grid stabilization, the demonstration will collect data over a two year period, including a capacity pilot project with PJM and frequency regulation operation in PJM, the USA’s largest independent grid operator. The demonstration will be used by Hitachi to further evaluate its energy storage systems and to verify the systems’ reliability and effectiveness with a view to future commercialization.
Hitachi’s electric power transmission and distribution systems business is a core part of its power systems business. It is seeking to expand its solution business by combining IT and power electronics technology for control systems and other balance of plant. Hitachi anticipates applications for CrystEna at a wide range of facilities in the future, and is actively working to expand sales of all of its energy storage systems.
Demansys’ Grid Daemon has been used in a diverse range of commercial and industrial applications. Since October 2012, the company has participated in a pilot program in the New England frequency regulation market that controls consumer loads in order to regulate frequency without the use of generators. By maximizing benefits for end users, as well as providing an interface for market transactions between grid operators and consumers, Demansys is contributing to a robust frequency regulation market utilizing numerous types of supply resources.
In announcing the demonstration project, Masaaki Nomoto, General Manager, Transmission & Distribution Systems Division, Power Systems Company, Hitachi, Ltd. said, “We are pleased to conduct the demonstration project in the USA. This demonstration represents another important milestone in the deployment of Hitachi’s battery storage business in the USA, and we will further pursue technically superior solutions to meet the requirements of various customers.”
Jeff Lines, Demansys CEO said, “At its core, Demansys is committed to enhancing the smart grid and creating value for its stakeholders. We are proud to partner with Hitachi on the CrystEna project and incorporate our Grid Daemon software platform to demonstrate the significant impact this energy storage system will have on grid stabilization.”