By Ron Chen, Correspondent ASEAN Region

Hitachi ABB Power Grids has been selected to deploy its innovative energy storage solution to support the development of Singapore’s first Virtual Power Plant (VPP) project. The project, launched in 2019, is developed by the Energy Research Institute @ Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (ERI@N) and is jointly funded by Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp).

Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ e-mesh™ PowerStore™ battery energy storage system (BESS) is a critical part of the VPP infrastructure, providing grid stability by balancing intermittent generation with smart and dynamic loads.

“Singapore operates one of the most reliable electricity networks in the world,” said Country Managing Director of Hitachi ABB Power Grids in Singapore, Nirupa Chander. “This project is a good example of how multiple stakeholders i.e. the government (EMA), academia (NTU), industry (Sembcorp) and technology providers like us collaborate to deliver innovative solutions and accelerate the energy transition for a greener future,” she added.

“Selecting the right technology partner is crucial for the project’s success and we are pleased to work with Hitachi ABB Power Grids, a recognised leader in power technologies,” said Sembcorp’s Chief Digital Officer, Matthew Friedman. “This marks a key milestone in the VPP project, as energy storage is critical to the efficient integration of green energy into Singapore’s power grid,” he added.

“To meet the carbon emission standards of the future, Singapore will have to tap on all renewable energy sources, relying on artificial intelligence and smart solutions to better coordinate and manage all its energy sources efficiently,” said NTU’s Senior Vice President (Research) Professor Lam Khin Yong. “The Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is a key project that will allow efficient modelling and innovative features of these emerging technologies to be validated,” he added.

The VPP will enable electricity produced from Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), like solar and other green sources, to be integrated intelligently, simulating a utility scale power system. Using real-time information, the VPP will optimise the power output of these resources located across the island. Energy fluctuations resulting from solar intermittency will be balanced automatically via the VPP.

This project builds on Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ global Grid Edge Solutions footprint of more than 500 megawatts (MW) and 200 references. The business’ technology has enabled customers to create economic, social and environmental value by unlocking new revenue streams, maximizing renewable integration, and lowering carbon emissions.