"EnergyKeeper (""Keep the energy at the right place!"") as research and innovation project was initiated to respond to the challenges of European energy policies towards low-carbon economy and energy transition. In this context, the European Union intends to be a leading global player in promotion of renewable energy integration and development of respective innovative technologies. The European consumers need to be provided with clean energy. Energy transition aims at smart grids, development of European energy markets, increased security of energy supply and consumer empowerment.
The introduction of electrical energy storage (EES) effectively addresses these issues. EES supports the integration of renewable energy to the grids with limited capacities to adopt new generated energy and helps consumers to use more self-generated energy and engage to energy trading. It helps grid operators to balance the production and consumption of renewable electricity (RES-E) in a power system. On the other hand, the current electricity storage technologies are based on non-organic, scarce or heavy-metals-containing components that, in their nature, are not sustainable.
To pursue the aforementioned benefits, the project was based on the following idea: the surplus of self-generated electricity as well as cheap off-peak electricity from the grid can be stored in an innovative sustainable battery. This battery brings commercial benefits to the community and, in addition, can be used as a flexibility tool for automatic distribution grid control with several smart grid attributes.
The overall aim of the project was to design, develop and test a novel, scalable, sustainable and cost competitive flow battery based on organic, metal-free redox active materials. A 30 kW redox flow battery (RFB) with a capacity of 100 kWh was to be constructed and equipped with an interoperable battery management system (BMS) enabling the plug and play integration into a smart grid. This interoperability was to be demonstrated in a real smart grid, equipped with adequate grid control and monitoring infrastructure. It should ensure an optimal interplay of local grid controller and BMS, providing the grid stabilization effect and enabling the community’s business models through the optimal charging and discharging processes.
In summary, the project succeeded to achieve the pre-set ambitious scientific and technical objectives in the broad range of technologies. It showcased the world's first installation of an organic metal-free RFB in a real smart grid environment."
