Page 51 - European Energy Innovation - Summer 2014

Summer 2014 European Energy Innovation 51
Red Electrica de España (REE)
RED ELECTRICA DE ESPAÑA
(REE) is the solely Spanish
Transmission and System
Operator (TSO) and has been
the pioneer entity (since 1985) in
assuming these responsibilities
as such segregated activities. The
constant seek for excellence over
the years is clearly reflected in
the strong commitment of REE
with innovation which is currently
performed in the framework of
the Innovation and Technological
Development Plan 2012-2016
(Plan12-16).
The overall objectives of Plan12-16
are to acquire the necessary know
how to master those technologies
that might be key in TSO business
from medium to long term, to
consolidate REE’s international
leadership and to improve the
company performance in its
present activities.
With this aim, the Plan12-16 was
designed by the end of 2011,
with the involvement of all the
technical areas, taken into account
three strategic pillars: (1) the REE project.eu)
group strategic plan for 2011-
2015, (2) the EU Energy Policy
for 2020, and particularly the
principles of SET Plan, and (3) the
2020-2030 long term prospective
assessment. It includes a set of
indicators and tools to measure
its added value (from project
results to the contribution of R&D
activities to the achievement of
corporate strategic objectives).
During the last years REE
expenditure in R&D has increased
amounting € 14.5m in 2013 which
represents a 0.84% of the annual
regulated revenue.
Following some of the most
representative projects are
outlined:
Representatives from European Commission, Spanish Ministry of Economy
and Competitiveness, local authorities, manufacturer and REE staff visiting the
equipment developed in ESP-LIDER at Torres de Segre 220kV ES
TWENTIES: In TWENTIES
project, supported by 7th EC
Framework Program, REE has
acted as Project Coordinator of
the 26 companies involved with
a budged amounting to €57m
during 42 months. The overall
objective of this project was to
advance in the development of
new technologies to the massive
incorporation of wind power in
the European electricity system
and thereby contribute to the
achievement of the EU goals on
energy by 2020. This has been
done through six full scale demos
in different countries (Spain,
Denmark, France and Belgium)
and the results have been
analyzed in deep to evaluate the
economic benefits of the tested
solutions as well as their potential
scalability. The project has
concluded in September 2013
and the results are available in the
project website (www.twenties-
ALMACENA: The project
consists of the field installation
of an energy storage system,
specifically a lithium-ion prismatic
Battery, with a power in the range
of 1 MW and a capacity of at least
3 MWh, with the aim to evaluate
the technical performances
and characteristics this type of
facilities currently offers as a tool youtube.com/watch?v=DXLvtBph7
to improve the efficiency of the
COMMUNICATION
operation of power systems.
After the successful set up in
operation of the system, two
functionalities are being tested
aimed at favoring the integration
of renewable energies and
the improvement of operation
services (load curve modulation
and power-frequency regulation).
In later phases, the installation will
serve as a test platform in order to
evaluate the possible contribution
of this technology to other
operation services, the increase
of grid flexibility, the stability of
the system, etc. The system is in
service since the end of 2013.
(http://www.ree.es/en/red21/rdi/
rdi-projects/almacena)
ESP-LIDER: This project aims to
design and manufacture a Static
Synchronous Series Compensator
(SSSC) type FACTS device for
its field validation. This is the
first experience with this type of
device in Spain at a voltage level
of 220kV. Furthermore, the project
will yield the studies, models and
simulations necessary to develop
power electronics in the Spanish
electricity grid thus providing
the necessary knowledge to the
research sector (both public and
private). The project receives funds
from domestic R&D supporting
program, INNPACTO (http://www.
aE&feature=youtu.be). ●