SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMC), one of the major suppliers of power to the national grid in the Philippines, has partnered with ABB to install battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities as part of its nationwide BESS Project.

In countries such as the Philippines, several challenges negatively impact grid performance, such as, the length of power lines required to connect the diverse archipelago, as well as intermittent energy supply from wind and solar, which needs storage to act as a frequency regulator. The BESS solution, the largest of its kind in the region according to ABB, is therefore designed to avoid large frequency deviations, which can result in costly equipment damage and disruptive power system failure.

Not only will the system increase grid reliability, it will also support the Philippines’ ambitious plans to decarbonise energy generation, ensuring that 54% of its energy mix comes from renewables by 2040.

Alessandro Palin, president of ABB’s Distribution Solutions Division, explains: “Battery energy storage systems are transforming the market, driving wider adoption of renewable energy solutions, and helping to improve grid performance across the globe. In support of ABB’s 2030 sustainability commitments, pioneering solutions like the one in the Philippines will ensure that grids are more stable and will satisfy the reliability challenges associated with moving to a stronger mix of renewables.”

The contract with ABB, won in 2019, will support two 20MW sites and a further 40MW site, to be commissioned in 2021. The remaining sites will be commissioned in 2022.

One system will support the local grid on Luzon, the largest and most populous island in the archipelago, as well as the island of Visayas. Both these fast-developing regions will benefit from BESS as part of the government’s ‘Build, build, build’ programme that aims to establish a ‘golden age of infrastructure’ to boost industry and tourism.

The Philippines project uses ABB’s proprietary software platform ABB Ability Zenon to act as the intuitive interface to the BESS, allowing users to make real time decisions based on grid parameters to ensure performance stability.

The scalable and modular building block design includes an integrated combination of Energy Storage Modules and power distribution equipment, that can be increased or reduced in capacity to suit specific site location requirements.

The BESS includes the provision of battery enclosures, ABB EcoFlex eHouse, UniGear ZS1 medium-voltage switchgear, integrated skid units, transformers and inverters in one single skid, with a connection to the grid.