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Interview 22 October 2021

“Energy storage systems are one of the most important pieces of the puzzle in decentralized power generation.”

What specific role does energy storage systems play in the context of the energy and mobility transition? And what technical and technological challenges and solutions are associated with it? We’re talking to Dr. Carsten Jähne, head of the “System Technology and Production Development of Energy Storage Systems” department at INTILION GmbH, a company that provides sustainable stationary and mobile energy storage solutions for commercial, industrial and municipal applications.

What role will energy storage systems play in the energy transition?

An important role! Broadly speaking, energy storage solutions offer the flexibility that is necessary in order to reconcile varying levels of electrical generation, distribution and consumption to ensure the success of the energy transition. However, the specific requirements of energy storage solutions depend heavily on the specific application. In my opinion, the three most important issues are optimization of internal consumption, network services and charging infrastructure for e-mobility.

Let’s start with optimization of internal consumption. What do we mean by this?

Solar energy is a fluctuating energy source. For example, a photovoltaic system generates no energy at night and too on sunny days. But these energy levels generally don’t line up with individual energy consumption. The role of energy storage solutions is obvious: to store excess energy and then then discharge it as needed. So the goal is to bridge periods with little sunshine, as well as to increase the proportion of internal consumption to allow more efficient use of internally generated power from renewable sources.

And what is the goal of network services?

The goal of network services is to supply power and optimize infrastructure connected to the grid. In short, it involves the use of energy storage to stabilize the power grid. Energy storage solutions function as buffers for weather- and daylight-dependent power generating systems, such as wind farms and solar arrays. The stored energy can then be discharged precisely when it is needed. Thus energy storage systems are one of the most important pieces of the puzzle in decentralized power generation.

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Let’s move to e-mobility: How do energy storage devices solve the problem of sluggish construction and expansion of charging infrastructure?

Supplying electricity for charging infrastructure is a critical issue for e-mobility. Due to the way the electrical grid developed historically, the required charging stations are not available at every location. Storage systems make it possible to reserve the required energy and then discharge it as needed. This allows us to provide charging infrastructure at locations that used to be unsuitable.

And what applications is INTILION GmbH currently working on?

INTILION is an active partner in the development and supply of individual lithium-ion energy storage solutions. This includes the development of sustainable business models for industrial applications in the context of energy storage devices. We are focused on the following applications: stationary commercial systems and large storage systems for intermediate storage of renewable power, traction batteries for industrial trucks and high-voltage systems for the primary and auxiliary electrical supply of trains and other heavy-duty applications. These allow zero-emission mobility even without available overhead lines.

What technical and technological challenges arise in integrating and operating energy storage solutions?

Connecting all components in an efficient, robust system to meet customer-specific requirements. Tailored interfaces and adjustments to the customer’s system often represent an important challenge.

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What solutions does WAGO technology offer for you to meet these challenges?

WAGO’s product portfolio features a highly flexible and modular automation system with many software libraries for configuring individual interfaces, like IP-based fieldbus systems, telecontrollers or M2M network protocols for the cloud. In particular, the WAGO Power Plant Control software library for power plant controllers, with unit certificate for 4110/4120 for the network conformity of all power generating units, is a great advantage for our energy storage devices that are connected to grids, especially with regards to dynamic network support, static reactive power provision and active power reduction. In general, WAGO offers us many options for control tasks; they also allow us to decouple INTILION from customer networks.

INTILION GmbH, founded on 2019-04-01, with sites in Paderborn and Zwickau, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the HOPPECKE Group of Companies which bundles all its activities related to lithium. The HOPPECKE Group of Companies is a medium-sized, owner-managed company headquartered in the Hoppecke district of Brilon with a global orientation. HOPPECKE Batterien is one of the largest manufacturers of industrial battery systems in Europe, with more than 90 years of experience in the development and production of electrochemical energy storage systems for industrial applications with the highest standards of quality.

About the Interviewee

Dr. Carsten Jähne has a PhD in physics and is the Head of System Technology and Product Development for Energy Storage Systems at INTILION GmbH. In this position, he is able to apply his many years of research experience in synthesizing and characterizing materials for lithium-ion batteries. He is also responsible for the system technology and application technology of the battery-energy storage system, the project management for system solutions and the development of standardized, scalable solution components and products, as well as tailored software applications. Before that, as a product manager at HOPPECKE Batterien GmbH Co. KG, he was the force behind product development and lifecycle management of energy storage systems for industrial traction applications.

Integrating Decentralized Suppliers

In virtual power plants, decentralized generators like wind turbines, storage facilities and controllable loads become a flexible (and adjustable) backup. Intelligently synchronizing these reduces loads on the power grid. WAGO's telecontrollers make it easier to combine them: They meet the requirements of the VHPready 4.0 communication standard, ensuring trouble-free connection of systems to the virtual power plant. VHPready functions like a translator so that control centers and systems understand one another.

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Energy Grids

The grids, including their automation and telecontrol technology, are due for modernization. WAGO's controllers provide important grid data, allowing grid operators to intervene with automated control as needed. In the field of gas and heat supply as well, WAGO's technology grants control and access to all data within the systems connected to the grids from any connected location. With the special security concept of the PFC200 Controller, WAGO follows all relevant cybersecurity guidelines.

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Energy Storage Systems

Storage systems compensate for fluctuating green electrical generation, reducing load on the power grid. WAGO’s telecontrol technology is at the heart of storage systems. It records all measured values, such as the feed-in data of solar plants or wind turbines, and enables monitoring and customer-specific control of the storage. For example, if the mains frequency increases due to high feed-in from renewables, the battery, power-to-heat or power-to-gas plant receives the order to draw excess current from the grid.

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