Advanced Grid Interfaces for innovative STorage INtegration

Project Information

AGISTIN

Grant agreement ID: 101096197

DOI

10.3030/101096197

EC signature date 13 December 2022

Start date 1 January 2023

End date 31 December 2026

Funded under

• Climate, Energy and Mobility

Total cost

€ 8 912 148,88

EU contribution

€ 7 930 450,25

Coordinated by

EPRI EUROPE DAC
Ireland

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - AGISTIN (Advanced Grid Interfaces for innovative STorage INtegration)

Reporting period: 2024-07-01 to 2025-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

AGISTIN project will design advanced grid interface for energy storage solutions that minimise the impact of new, large demands on the grid and reduce costs for large grid users through innovative storage integration. The project will carry out two demonstrations and three test activities on renewable hydrogen electrolysis, irrigation pumping and fast electric vehicle charging. The innovative storage technologies include aqueous electrochemical recuperators, irrigation systems and aluminium ion batteries.
AGISTIN will enable industrial grid users to rapidly deploy renewables through advanced integration of innovative energy storage technologies at the interface with the grid. Rapid decarbonisation of industry through electrification, the growth of renewables, and the need for grid stability present a unique opportunity for new forms storage of storage and integration schemes to emerge. The main objectives in the project are to develop new forms of energy storage that meet grid needs for short-duration flexibility and stability, reduce the impact of new, large demand on the grid, and reduce costs for large grid users through innovative storage integration. This project will exceed the state of the art for aqueous batteries, use of irrigation systems as energy storage, grid interface designs and provision of advanced grid services from large load users.
Two demonstrations and three test activities centered around renewable hydrogen electrolysis, irrigation pumping, and fast EV charging are used to demonstrate advanced concepts for energy storage, grid integration and grid users. AGISTIN results in reduced grid connection for industrial grid users, reducing H2 production cost by 10% and improved grid stability through advanced grid services, that enable grids to run with 100% renewables. The innovative storage technologies directly addressed in the project include aqueous electrochemical recuperators, with properties between super capacitors and batteries, use of irrigation systems as energy storage and aluminum ion batteries.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Objectives and Progress
1. Innovative Energy Storage Solutions:
- R&D Efforts: Identified several innovative energy storage solutions.
- Pilot Testing: Conducted early-stage laboratory tests showing promising results.
- Collaboration: Integrated new storage forms with existing systems for further testing.

2. Advanced Grid Interfaces (AGI):
- Design and Prototyping: Completed AGI designs and prototypes are being tested.
- Simulation Studies: Conducted extensive simulations to optimize AGI performance.
- Field Trials: Initial trials demonstrate AGI’s potential to enhance grid stability.

3. Minimizing Grid Access Needs:
-User Engagement: Engaged with industrial users to understand their needs.
-Solution Development: Developed solutions to reduce grid access requirements.
-Implementation: Early implementations show reduced peak demand and improved energy management.

4. Integration of Innovative Storage:
- Use Case Selection: Identified three impactful use cases with detailed implementation plans.
- Integration Testing: Testing integration of storage solutions with AGIs.
- Demonstration Campaigns: Initial projects showcase practical benefits and scalability.

Work Packages and Achievements
1. WP1: Project Coordination and Management:
- Established robust project management systems.
- Completed initial risk assessments and developed a comprehensive Data Management Plan (DMP).
- Addressed ethical considerations and ensured compliance with regulations.

2. WP2: Business Models for Energy Storage Integration:
- Analyzed regulatory and economic barriers.
- Defined functional requirements for industrial users.
- Identified business model opportunities and developed LCA methodology.

3. WP3: Enhanced AGI Design:
- Verified potential and alignment with customer needs.
- Developed AGI power and ICT topology.
- Created generic AGI model templates and storage models.
- Developed optimization and control methods for real-time AGI operation.

4. WP4: Performance Assessment:
- Identified relevant use cases and test scenarios.
- Implemented laboratory structure for validating fast-charging technology.
- Designed a techno-economic tool for transforming irrigation canals into energy storage systems.

5. WP5: Demonstration for Green Hydrogen Production:
- Developed EMT models for Shell’s green hydrogen site.
- Translated models into a real-time simulation platform.
- Prepared for testing AGISTIN developments at Shell’s industrial site
- Executed testing campaigns in the ETCA site, ancompassing all foreseen operating modes

6. WP6: Irrigation Canal-Based Energy Storage:
- Improved optimization tool for real-time operation.
- Defined AGI specifications and prepared experimental setups.
- Installed and commissioned a vanadium redox flow battery system.

7. WP7: Dissemination and Exploitation:
- Developed and implemented a Communication and Dissemination Master Plan.
- Created various communication materials and tools.
- Engaged with stakeholders and participated in multiple conferences and events.
- Developed an exploitation plan and validated Key Exploitable Results (KERs).

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)

- Design and Prototyping of the Advanced Grid Interface (AGI): The project has developed advanced grid interface designs and prototypes that are currently being tested. These AGIs are designed to integrate innovative energy storage solutions, enhancing grid stability and efficiency. Extensive simulation studies have been conducted to optimize AGI performance under various grid conditions. This includes the development of tools to generate grid connection options and innovative storage technology sizing based on grid user characteristics and location. Initial laboratory and small-scale field trials demonstrate the potential of AGIs to enhance grid stability and efficiency, showcasing practical benefits and scalability.

-The project has developed customized optimization and control tools for real-time operation of AGIs, providing ancillary services to the grid and internal energy balancing. This includes a flexible and extendable control and optimization framework capable of providing desired grid-forming services and accounting for heterogeneous DC components. A top-down control strategy has been proposed for fast and decentralized control of AC/DC inverters and DC/DC converters, enhancing the robustness and real-time adaptivity of AGIs to varying ambient grid, demand, and weather conditions.

- A long-term open-source Python-based optimization tool has been developed to size new assets for transforming irrigation canals into energy storage systems. This tool supports the integration of renewable energy and enhances the flexibility of irrigation systems.

infographic-agistin-infographic.png

agistin-logo-1.png