How Skoon provides flexibility in time and in space, the solution to grid congestion
As the world transitions to cleaner and more sustainable energy systems, grid congestion has become a major challenge for energy providers and grid operators.
With more demand for electricity in certain areas than the transmission lines and equipment can handle, power outages, voltage fluctuations, and equipment damage have become common issues.
At Skoon, we believe that mobile energy solutions can provide a flexible and scalable way to solve these challenges. In this post, we will explore with you how mobile energy systems can be used to address grid congestion. This is why we think this is the future of electricity.
What is grid congestion?
Grid congestion occurs when you have more demand for electricity in a your area than the transmission lines and equipment can handle.
This can happen for several reasons, such as increased electricity consumption due to extreme weather conditions, large-scale industrial or commercial activity, or unexpected changes in electricity supply.
When the demand for electricity exceeds the capacity of the transmission lines and equipment, the electricity grid becomes congested. This congestion can lead to power outages, voltage fluctuations, and even damage to the grid equipment.
Solutions for grid congestion
To address this issue, you can implement solutions for grid congestion. Examples are upgrading the existing transmission infrastructure, implementing demand response programs, deploying energy storage systems, and utilising advanced grid control technologies like smart grid systems.
Whereas these are all sound methods to reduce congestion, these methods are not always (cost) effective.
Countries around the world struggle with grid congestion
In the UK, developers are experiencing delays of over 15 years connecting renewable energy projects to the UK’s electricity grid, threatening the country’s net-zero ambitions, according to E&T.
As the country approaches its target to decarbonise the electricity grid by 2035, developers and engineering firms experience serieus delays. These are putting the UK’s climate targets and energy security at risk.
Waiting times have increased dramatically in the last 18 months, according to Peter Aston, a specialist connections engineer at consultancy Roadnight Taylor. The transmission network has become overloaded, meaning that the construction of new circuits can take up to 10 years.
Hundreds of businesses impacted in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s power network is also struggling to keep up with the growing demand for electricity as more households and businesses abandon gas, and transportation becomes cleaner.
Grid operator Liander is now tasked with building 30 new power stations and 2,500 transformer stations. The work is proving to be a significant challenge. Building these stations is expensive, and more often than not based on forecasts with a high margin of uncertainty.
The market steps in to lighten the investment burden
We should question ourselves if these heavy investments in grid technology is the way to go. For grid operators, investing in technology is one of the only choices. However, the market has the responsibility to also step in and introduce more cost-effective alternatives.
As the city is densely populated, building the necessary infrastructure to support the growing demand is a “monster task.” According to the article recently published in Financieel Dagblad, more than 300 companies in Amsterdam are currently on a waiting list for a power connection. This is because the existing power grid is already overloaded.
This situation is affecting the city’s economic growth and slowing down the transition to a sustainable energy system.
Breaking through the gridlock can be done today
This collection of challenges, which every country is facing, demands a solution that can scale and meet the needs of this uncertain transition. This is where we from Skoon see an increasing number of grid operators turning to mobile energy systems, such as battery containers.
Flexibility is the future of electricity. These mobile energy systems provide flexibility in time and space. This means a grid operator can always call on this solution and, based on how demand turns out and the grid expands, decide to move around the mobile energy systems to where they’re needed most.
Use the existing marketplace
The good news is that this network is already operational, powering construction sites, film sets and ports on a daily basis. While the grid is going through a large scale transition, the market of diesel generators has started the shift towards clean alternatives for some time already.
Market leading suppliers and manufacturers have been gearing up to produce and deploy clean mobile energy systems at scale.
That means, grid operators can now jump on this moving train and find solutions to grid congestion challenges in the existing marketplace of clean mobile energy. How Skoon is breaking this gridlock, will follow in the next blog.
What do you think is the way forward while our grid congestion challenges grow? Talk to us here and share your thoughts!
FAQ’s
What is the importance of electricity storage and flexibility in the energy transition?
Electricity storage and flexibility are important because they help to address the increasing congestion on the electricity grid. Smart use of batteries for flexibility services makes it possible to respond to a growing demand for electricity and integrate more renewable energy into the grid.
How can mobile battery systems combat grid congestion?
Mobile battery systems can combat grid congestion by providing flexibility services that allow for the balancing of electricity supply and demand. In one example, this is achieved through charging the batteries when there is excess electricity supply and discharging the batteries when there is a shortage of electricity.
How can I get involved in using mobile battery systems for grid services?
If you are interested in using mobile battery systems for grid services, you can research companies like Skoon that offer these services. You can also reach out directly to discuss the opportunities around being involved in solving grid congestion.
How does using mobile battery systems for grid services contribute to the energy transition?
Using mobile battery systems for grid services can contribute to the energy transition by integrating more renewable energy into the grid, reducing the need for fossil fuel-based peaking power plants, and improving the stability and reliability of the grid. Additionally, the revenue generated by these services can help to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy technologies.
What are the future implications of using mobile battery systems for grid services?
The future implications of using mobile battery systems for grid services are significant. As renewable energy continues to grow and become more widely adopted, the need for flexibility and storage will only increase. Mobile battery systems offer a unique and flexible solution to this challenge, and as the technology continues to advance, they are likely to become an increasingly important part of the energy storage landscape.
What types of clean energy systems do you offer for events, film sets, and construction sites?
We offer a range of clean energy solutions, including mobile battery systems, solar panels, and hydrogen fuel cells. Our goal is to provide the most efficient and sustainable energy solutions for the needs of every project.
What are the benefits of transitioning to clean and silent alternatives for diesel generators?
By transitioning to clean and silent alternatives, we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, lower emissions, and create a healthier and more sustainable working environment. Additionally, the availability and affordability of clean energy solutions are increasing, making it a more viable option for businesses and events of all sizes.
What products does Skoon have to help customers achieve their goals?
Skoon offers a range of software products, to enable access and commercialization of mobile battery systems, solar panels, and hydrogen fuel cells. The software platforms helps customers achieve their sustainability goals by providing access to clean and efficient energy solutions and their data. Additionally, our Skoon platform enables Flexibility Service Operators to remotely and autonomously charge and discharge batteries for flexibility services, which can contribute to the integration of more renewable energy into the grid.
