Utility Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira (EEM) has selected Siemens Smart Infrastructure and Fluence for the development of an energy storage system on the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira.

Fluence and Siemens Smart Infrastructure will install a 22.5MVA/15.6MWh battery storage system to help the island enhance energy resilience by expanding renewables, as well as gain energy independence.

The battery will be integrated with an islanded microgrid to increase the share of renewables of Madeira’s energy mix to 50%.

The project will enable EEM to reduce its fuel consumption over the next two to three years without affecting energy quality or grid stability, according to the statement.

The storage system is expected to help the island to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and achieve its sustainability goals through energy diversification.

Fluence will provide the battery energy storage whilst Siemens will be responsible for the supply of low and medium-voltage switchgear and protection and control systems as well as for the complete integration of the energy storage system into the island’s energy grid.

The system will be sited next to EEM’s Vitoria Thermal Power Plant for service restoration in the event of outages. The project is expected to be online in the second quarter of 2022.

Siemens and Fluence will also provide maintenance services for a period of 10 years.

Francisco Taboada, the chairman of board of directors at EEM, said: “By implementing this battery storage plant on the island, we intend to reduce the number of thermal generators that rely on fossil fuels and increase the penetration of renewable power sources without facing the risk of blackouts, ensuring optimal frequency regulation of Madeira’s electrical system.”

Stephan May, the CEO of Distribution Systems Business Unit at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, added: “Grid edge technologies such as energy storage play a key role in the decarbonisation of islands and remote communities. They not only enable the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources but also increase grid flexibility and resilience.

“The energy storage system in Madeira, in combination with our digital solutions for smart energy management, will significantly accelerate the transformation towards sustainable and reliable power supply.

“As soon as it goes into service, this power plant will play an extremely important role as a fast reserve supply to cope with sudden variations in production and load.”