The third of the three solutions is a technological premiere: the world's first reactive power compensation system with supercapacitors (Static Var Compensator Frequency Stabilizer; SVC PLUS FS for short). It will use short-term storage in the form of supercapacitors. The supercapacitors are able to counteract fluctuations in the grid frequency either by actively charging themselves for a short time, thereby withdrawing up to 200 megawatts from the grid, or by feeding the stored power into the grid. This enables the SVC PLUS FS to respond to fluctuations in the grid much more quickly than conventional battery storage solutions. It also requires a third of the space. Siemens Energy will build the solutions in Mehrum in Lower Saxony. This state produces by far the most onshore wind energy in Germany, and here in particular, grid expansion is an important prerequisite for a reliable power supply. The three systems are scheduled to be commissioned in 2025.
Tim Holt, Member of the Managing Board at Siemens Energy: "The main strength of the European power grid is its resilience. It guarantees security of supply, which also guarantees prosperity. To ensure that this remains the case in the future, investments in grid stability are extremely important. Here, too, there’s no time to lose, because the energy transition isn't just a matter of replacing fossil fuels with renewables. Ultimately, electricity also has to be reliably delivered to consumers' outlets. That's also the motivation behind this project."
