Atacama Desert, Chile. Photo credit: ogwen [CC BY 2.0].The world’s first 24/7 emissions-free “plug-and-play” commercial microgrid is now operational, according to a news release from Enel Green Power Chile. The system integrates 125kWp (kilowatt-peak) of solar power generation with 580 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of lithium-ion battery storage (132-kWh) and hydrogen energy storage (450-kWh) to supply part of the electricity needs of Enel’s Cerro Pabellón geothermal power plant in Chile’s northern Antofagasta region, which is home to the lion’s share of the country’s copper reserves.
An innovative micro-grid controller optimises the electricity flows to enable efficient sharing between the two storage systems and guarantee round-the-clock power availability. As a result, the micro-grid supplies clean energy 24 hours a day with no need for support from diesel generators, unlike most similar plants.
“This groundbreaking project shows that it is possible to build fully renewables-powered micro-grids capable of delivering efficient, zero-emission energy without interruptions,” Global Renewable Energies Division head Antonio Cammisecra said.
Read the full article at Microgrid Media.