Siemens Energy and Amprion ink tech deal for renewable electrical networks

The German transmission system operator Amprion and Siemens Energy signed a cooperation agreement on March 16 in Mülheim an der Ruhr in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on the close cooperation in the development of new technologies controlling electrical networks.

According to Siemens, together, the two companies are developing the first asynchronous phase shifter called Asynchronous Rotating Energy System Stabilizer (ARESS) for a network frequency of 50 Hertz (Hz). Amprion Technical Director Hendrik Neumann and Siemens Energy Managing Board member Jochen Eickholt signed the agreement in the presence of North Rhine-Westphalia’s Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy Minister Andreas Pinkwart.

“The increased feed-in of renewable, volatile energy, for example from wind and sun, will lead to noticeable changes in the power grids in the future. We must take precautions by implementing stabilization mechanisms,” Pinkwart said. “I am pleased, that with this promising pilot project the two companies are making a significant contribution to the energy transition in Germany and are thus strengthening this location for innovative energy technology,” he added.

Due to the increase of renewable energy sources with fluctuating feed-in, the operational requirements of the transmission networks in Germany and Europe are changing. So-called reactive power is essential for maintaining voltage in the power grid.

Neumann pointed out that until now, the reactive power was mainly provided by generators in large power plants. “In the course of the energy transition many of them are going offline. Therefore, Amprion is now investing more and more in innovative alternative solutions for grid stabilization, such as ARESS,” he said.

ARESS, the first rotating asynchronous phase shifter for a mains frequency of 50 Hz, is a holistic solution for grid stabilization. An essential technological component of the asynchronous phase shifter system ARESS is an innovative frequency converter and a new, double-fed asynchronous machine with an optional flywheel.

“Siemens Energy has extensive expertise in various technology areas, which is crucial for the development of this pioneering combination of converter technology and rotating machines,” Eickholt said, adding, “With today’s signature, we and Amprion are sealing our joint project to further advance the energy transition in Germany”.