Simulation will ensure reliable energy systems for ESS

State-of-the-art simulation technology will be used to secure the electricity systems for the large-scale research facility European Spallation Source (ESS) in Sweden. In a modern approach to energy systems, both the regional electricity grid and the ESS will be modelled to measure supply, reliability and impact.

Today, ESS, E.ON and Lunds Energi are continuing the preliminary study on a sustainable energy solution for ESS by signing an agreement with RWTH Aachen University in Germany. The E.ON Energy Research Center, at the Aachen University, is world-leading in the field of modelling of complex power systems and power electronic energy conversion systems. They will model and support the preliminary design of the ESS energy supply system. The simulation will ensure reliability both for ESS and the regional grid, in order to avoid disturbances.

"It is essential that the energy supply to ESS is stable and that ESS does not have any negative impact on the grid. With the help of a state-of-the-art simulation model we can develop a reliable system that minimises these risks. This simulation gives us the opportunity to take our sustainable energy solution a step further," says Patrik Carlsson, Director for Machine at ESS.

An important part of the ESS energy solution is the connection to the electrical power grid. The challenge is to supply electricity of the appropriate quality, with a high level of supply security, to the research facility without disturbing its sensitive equipment and operations. The ESS energy system must be extremely reliable, because power cut could lead to several weeks of valuable research being lost. Conversely, the ESS facility can also give rise to disturbances in the grid, which may affect other users or electricity generation plants.

“Linking a sustainable energy supply with a highly dynamic pulsating load is a major engineering challenge, which will push the limits of today’s technologies. The ESS energy supply solution will accelerate innovation and demonstrate technologies that are necessary for future smart grids. At RWTH Aachen University we have the infrastructure and competences to accelerate the ESS project, says Prof. Rik De Doncker from Aachen University.”

To minimise any grid interactions and disturbances the Aachen University will, in the design phase, develop a simulation model in which the entire 130 kV grid and ESS are integrated. 

Several scenarios will be investigated to buffer the power flow of the ESS. The simulation infrastructure used makes it possible to evaluate different disturbances in real time and study how any impact on the grid and ESS can be avoided.

The ESS facility uses considerable quantities of electrical energy. The modelling will make it possible for researchers both to guarantee the quality of the electricity and to test solutions to reduce energy use, i.e. to make the ESS facility more energy efficient.

Contacts:

Anders Olsson, Deputy CEO E.ON Nordic. Phone:  +46 706 346 811. E-mail: anders.olsson@eon.se

Patrick Carlsson, Director for Machine ESS. Phone: +46 46 888 30 81. E-mail: patrik.carlsson@esss.se

Sylvia Michel, CEO and MD Lunds Energikoncernen. Phone: +46 702 66585 
E-mail: sylvia.michel@lundsenergikoncernen.se

Prof. Dr. ir. Dr. h.c. Rik W. De Doncker, RWTH Aachen University, phone: +49 241 8049667
E-Mail: post_erc@eonerc.rwth-aachen.de