For this purpose, a so-called "hybrid microgrid" was created on the premises of ABM Klagenfurt. It supplies the entire site with uninterrupted renewable energy even in the event of failures in the public grid. ABM Klagenfurt is responsible, among other things, for monitoring and maintaining various Alpine tunnels and the busy Tauern motorway.
Project is part of ASFINAG's sustainability strategy
Supplying the motorway maintenance depot in Klagenfurt with solar energy is part of ASFINAG's plan to gradually supply all of the company's sites with green electricity. The energy storage system ensures that solar energy generated during the day can also be used at night or in the event of a grid failure. Until now, this uninterruptible power supply was only feasible with a great deal of additional technical effort. Yet it is precisely this that ensures that tunnels and motorway sections can continue to be monitored seamlessly even if the public power grid fails.
"ABM Klagenfurt's microgrid shows that renewable energies and a reliable energy supply go hand in hand if the technological course is set correctly. This makes the new energy system not only a lighthouse project, but also a real plus for the safety of drivers," says Christoph Lang, Department Manager Renewable Energy & E-Mobility at K.E.M. Montage, the general contractor for the construction of the new power system.
Secure energy supply with the hybrid island grid
"Hybrid island grids" or "hybrid microgrids" are local electricity grids that are connected to the public grid. However, they can disconnect from it if necessary and supply themselves independently, usually with the help of battery storage and special electronics.
ABM Klagenfurt's hybrid stand-alone grid combines a 220 kWp photovoltaic system and a 522 kWh lithium-ion electricity storage unit. DHybrid's "Universal Power Platform" (UPP) energy management system controls and monitors all energy supply parameters. If the public grid fails, the battery storage system seamlessly takes over the supply of the stand-alone grid with the help of the UPP.
See also: Patented technology for increasing self-consumption in microgrids
When the supply from the public grid returns, the UPP measures the necessary parameters and ensures uninterrupted resynchronisation to parallel grid operation. In battery mode, the UPP also controls the load management of three connected charging stations for ASFINAG electric vehicles with up to 70 kilowatts of output. If the capacity of the energy storage is exhausted in the event of a prolonged power failure, the UPP automatically switches on a back-up diesel generator.
DHybrid originally developed its microgrid technology for use outside Europe, where, for example, there is often no reliable and stable energy supply on islands. However, due to the expansion of renewable energies and the increasing demand for customised energy storage solutions, DHybrid is increasingly implementing microgrids in Europe as well. (mfo)
