The Chip Zero co-innovation project, UltraGreen, aims to develop solutions to energy storage challenges as part of advancing the green transition.
Finland has set ambitious goals to accelerate the transition toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy system. There are two key targets defining this vision. The first target is that by 2030, there should be 700,000 electric vehicles on Finnish roads, with the majority being fully electric. Secondly, Finland aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, positioning itself as a global leader in climate action.
While these objectives are clear, the path to achieving them is complex and filled with challenges. The energy sector faces several critical issues, including:
- Lack of system inertia due to the growing share of converter-based generators.
- Need for greater controllability of assets, particularly renewable generation sources.
- Ensuring reliability and stability of energy supply in a rapidly evolving grid.
- Improving resilience of energy systems against disruptions.
- Integration of distributed energy resources, which adds complexity to grid management.
- High uncertainty in net load consumption, balances, and power flows.
To overcome these challenges, one promising solution is the provision of supportive services from energy storage systems. By leveraging advanced storage technologies, Finland can enhance grid stability, improve flexibility, and ensure a reliable energy supply—paving the way for a carbon-neutral future.
To overcome these challenges, one promising solution is the provision of supportive services from energy storage systems. By leveraging advanced storage technologies, Finland can enhance grid stability, improve flexibility, and ensure a reliable energy supply—paving the way for a carbon-neutral future.
“Lithium-ion batteries are great for energy storage, but they are not fast enough to support the rapid dynamics of future power grids dominated by power electronics-based generators and loads, such as renewable energy sources and electric vehicles (EVs). Supercapacitors, on the other hand, are gaining interest for their high-power density and fast response time in applications such as frequency regulation and grid stabilization. However, supercapacitors face limitations in terms of energy density and long-duration energy storage; consequently, they may not be suitable for applications that require sustained energy supply due to their higher self-discharge rates. A hybrid energy storage system (HESS) could combine the strengths of both”, explains Edris Pouresmaeil, Associate Professor at Aalto University.
Aalto University acts as the coordinator of the project. Other partners of the project are ABB, Bamomas, Danfoss, SanRex, Tampere University, VTT, Vensum and Volue.