Opendata, web and dolomites
  1. home
  2. trasparenza
  3. open h2020
  4. pvps
  5. reports

Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 4 - PVPS (Powerstar Virtual Power Station (PVPS) solution - Powerstar Virtue)

Teaser

1.1 Summary of the context and overall objectives of the projectPowerstar Virtue aims to pilot-test an integrated smart grid solution based on the Powerstar system design with storage mediums and renewable energy sources. This new solution will open up significant new market...

Summary

1.1 Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project
Powerstar Virtue aims to pilot-test an integrated smart grid solution based on the Powerstar system design with storage mediums and renewable energy sources. This new solution will open up significant new market opportunities for the company in the European and international markets. The Powerstar Virtual Power Station (PVPS) solution to be pilot-tested under this project will ensure the long term expansion of the company\'s market opportunities and will enhance the current EU plans for Smart Grid applications. The pilot will evaluate and demonstrate the benefits of the PVPS solution at a commercial site in a live operational environment (ASDA - Swindon Haydon Superstore). This will ensure that the user (ASDA) and the DSOs (National Grid through E.On) have a clear understanding of the value of the PVPS solution. Such a live demonstration will open up the market opportunity for the full commercialization of the PVPS solution

Work performed

M1 – M3 (July 2015 – September 2015)



The work performed by EMSc (UK) Ltd, between M1 to the end of M3 is summarized by the following bullet points:

• In depth lessons learnt from the recently analysed and assessed small PVPS solution and how this
will affect the implementation of the larger scale unit.
• Understanding of the functional requirements.
• Pre – sight surveys and
• Preliminary design work.
• Preliminary discussions with installers and DNO’s (DSO’s).



M4 – M7 (October 2015 – December 2015)


The work performed by EMSc (UK) Ltd between M4 to the end of M7 is summarized by the following bullet points:

• Technical team visit to battery and BMS manufacturers in China, to finalise battery layout design and integration with Powerstar transformer.
• Re – location of project to new Superstore, due to current issues at current site.
• Finalisation of functional requirements.
• Final battery container design.
• Back up suppliers for the 1MVA PCS (Power Converter System), due to poor availability of current supplier.


M7 - M15 Work Package 2 – Deployment, testing and optimizing of PVPS Solution


Outstanding deliverables from previous reporting period (all shown on the R&D GANTT chart):

- Confirmation of PVPS Installation site-

- SCADA Development with software partners for remote control and access

- Finalised full system design

- Approvals for the project by the DNO and the local council

- ENA (Energy Network Association) application form for SSE.

- Container Specification and Design

- Design and manufacture of step down transformers

- G59/3 relay and cabinet assembly

- Hardware layout within containers

- Arrival of imported hardware

- Battery container integration

- Power container integration
.


M7 -M15 Work Package 4 – Development and Commercialisation Plan

Assessment of Market Dynamics
The company has continued to monitor the market dynamics of the ‘Virtue Power Plant Market’, a summary of the findings is given in Part B of the Periodic report.


M7 -M15 Work Package 5 – Communication and Dissemination Activities
The marketing department under the leadership of Nick Lee, the work package leader of WP5 has been continually seeking to communicate the progress and potential of the PVPS solution in the UK Market and beyond. This has been achieved via a combination of Newsletters, Events, conferences and feature articles.

M16 – M28 (October 16 – October 17)

An extension to the PVPS project was granted by the EC due to ongoing delays being experienced with regards to the choice of pilot site. The project will now run for a further 13 months (total project length 37 months).

The work performed by EMSc (UK) Ltd between M16 to the end of M28 is summarized by the following bullet points:

• Re-location of project to Heston superstore, due to current issues at current site.
• Approved final design based on new location
• Factory Acceptance Test completed
• Site civils completed at pilot site
• PVPS solution craned into position
• Electrical connection works
• System connection and energisation
• Meeting set up with DNO to agree approvals to run services
• Partially completed Site Acceptance Tests (once an agreement is reached with the DNO these can be finalised.)

Final results

1.3 Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio – economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)
Market


Energy Storage
Although storage technologies are seemingly ubiquitous throughout the world, very few have actually been implemented in the commercial sector, offering paybacks below 6 years. The Virtue system is one of the first commercial systems in the UK market that has been able to demonstrate the aforementioned, showing that storage is now feasible not just for the sake of utility, but also as a means for generating revenue and increasing the effectiveness of renewable systems.


The government have released numerous reports and studies, resulting in huge market awareness. One report written by Frontier Economics on behalf of the UK government, states the following:
“Both grid-level storage and enhanced automated voltage control might offer significant potential for load shifting and reduction respectively. The latter technology in particular is not frequently considered existing literature (perhaps because it does not fit neatly into the categories of “generation”, “DSR”, and “storage”). It may be worthwhile further investigating the costs and capabilities of these systems (for example, incorporating the results of trials into DECC’s modelling as they become available)”
This excerpt shows that not only is there demand for storage, but also for voltage optimisation, which is an integral part of the Virtue system, and in effect is what separates the PVPS solution from any other competing solutions.
2016 has seen the introduction of Demand-Side Response (DSR), a new technology that uses the flexibility of electricity consumers to help balance supply and demand, turning down load or turning up small generators when power stations fail or when demand spikes unexpectedly. DSR can keep the lights on with less pollution and at lower cost than fossil-fuelled power stations.


The results from the pre – cursor to the PVPS solution were seen as compelling from ASDA supermarkets, and as well as ASDA agreeing to be the host 3rd party member to the PVPS solution, the company is also looking to rollout the Virtue solution throughout its supermarkets and Distribution Centres. Many companies are now looking to the PVPS solution as a “green” UPS, with considerable interests from some very large data centre operators, looking to swap out old, poor performing lead acid based systems.

Electric Vehicle charging has been added as a function of the PVPS solution. With most EU countries committing to zero emmision transport targets in the next 15 years we expect the EV charging feature to drive significant demand.

Our compelling business proposition combined with a fiance solution for the client is attracting significant interest. We expect that PVPS will become 75% of our turnover by the end of the project from a standing start.

Website & more info

More info: http://powerstar.com/pvps-project/.