WEG has just announced the supply of four complete Energy Storage systems including lithium-ion batteries and flow batteries, in addition to the control development of a Microgrid powered by different energy sources for Copel – Companhia Paranaense de Energia (state of Paraná electric utility company). The supply is part of a list of Copel initiatives approved in a strategic public auction by the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) for technical and commercial arrangements so as to incorporate energy storage systems into the Brazilian electricity sector. 

Signed with WEG on a turn-key basis, the contract includes manufacturing, construction, commissioning, service and technical support covering four Energy Storage projects in the amount of 1.8MW and 3.7MWh including the development of the entire microgrid control of a plant. The scope of supply consists of four BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) that include lithium-ion batteries, vanadium-flux batteries, photovoltaic generation plants, transformers, low voltage panels, medium voltage panels, plant automation (EMS), battery management system (BMS) and E-houses. 

One of the projects will be implemented in the municipality of Ipiranga, southern state of Paraná, counting on two 1MWh systems arranged side by side with different battery technologies: lithium-ions and vanadium flux, which is unique in the country. 

Ipiranga was chosen for tests due to the fact that the city has 100% coverage with automated smart meters for measurement of consumption. This allows for a detailed mapping of all the impacts for this technology implementation, in addition to the availability of network reconfiguration systems (self-healing) fully interconnected by information and telecommunications systems. 

Also part of the contract signed with WEG is the renovation of the power generation system at the island named Ilha das Cobras, a remaining area of Atlantic Forest in Paranaguá Bay. Currently, the island counts on a diesel power generation system that will be replaced and complemented by a hybrid set of photovoltaic solar generation associated with batteries, which reduces the environmental impact of fossil fuel generation. Renewable energy from the sun with the support of batteries should supply all the energy demanded on the island, with the diesel system remained as a backup. 

“The construction and development of an intelligent electric energy microgrid encourage the use of solar energy and ensure safety, quality and resilience in electricity supply to the island. The project will also contribute to the reduction of environmental impacts, since diesel consumption will be eliminated with the use of BESS”, says Manfred Peter Johann, Managing Director of WEG Automation Business Unit. 

Another WEG project is the supply of a transportable solution for an energy storage system with 1MWh capacity to be connected to the distribution network in cases of scheduled contingencies or seasonal demands with peak consumption - in case of a large event or momentary system boost. Similar to a mobile substation, the solution can be connected anywhere on the network, that is, next to the substation or along the power supply. 

WEG's fourth project in this contract will be implemented in the Residential Village of Faxinal do Céu, in the municipality of Pinhão, state of Paraná. The region will also receive a photovoltaic generation system associated with energy storage. Tests will be carried out with the implementation of a microgrid in the village, allowing evaluation of the new technologies as well as the benefits to consumers. 

“We have already successfully supplied the BESS to the US market and now, with more than 10 projects on the way in Brazil, we are strengthening WEG's strategy of providing solutions for energy storage and control of microgrids in Brazil”, adds Manfred.