Increasing grid stability in the Philippines
2 August 2023As the Philippines makes the switch to more renewable energy sources, it is aiming to stabilise the grid with its largest ever integrated grid-scale battery energy storage system, in Limay in Bataan Province. It was supplied by ABB to Universal Power Solutions Inc. (UPSI), a unit of San Miguel Corporation Global Power Holdings Corp.
Above: ABB Limay battery installation includes the provision of battery enclosures, EcoFlex eHouses, UniGear ZS1 medium-voltage switchgear, and integrated skid units with transformers and inverters
The Limay installation forms part of a broader contract with UPSI, for a 240 MW capacity packaged battery storage system to strengthen the reliability and stability of the Philippine grid on the islands of Luzon and Visayas.
The Limay energy storage system was inaugurated by the president of the Philippines, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, in March 2023. At this site, ABB provided a 50 MW battery storage system, with the aim of improving the reliability and stability of the grid on the main island of Luzon. The energy storage system is designed to avoid the occurrence of large frequency deviations.
A significant amount of the Philippines’ energy supply is still fossil fuel-based, making the country vulnerable to rising energy costs and market volatility while the energy production is at the same time CO2 intensive. It is also exposed to tropical storms and natural disasters that adversely impact energy infrastructure. To address these challenges while accelerating towards a net zero energy supply, the Philippines aims to achieve 35% renewable power generation by 2030 and 50% by 2040. As of 2022, the Philippines had reached a 22% clean energy mix.
UPSI collaborated with strategic partner ABB to develop an innovative solution to transform the reliability of the area’s grid, which was highly susceptible to automatic load shedding and frequency fluctuations. It is also supporting the integration of renewables into the grid.
The Limay installation is the first ABB eStorage Max, pre-engineered, modular, large-scale battery installation to be delivered within the Philippines and APAC region.
The project uses the ABB eStorage OS Energy Management System to act as the intuitive interface to the BESS, allowing users to make real-time decisions based on grid parameters to ensure performance stability.
Linkedin
