Energy transition in operation: Ormazabal supplies technology for Statkraft's hybrid power plant

A modern PV battery storage hybrid power plant has been built in Zerbst, Germany: the solar park with connected battery storage is located on the site of a former gravel pit. With an output of around 46.4 megawatts peak and a 16-megawatt battery storage facility, the plant will generate and store almost 50,000 megawatt hours of green electricity annually – enough to supply around 14,000 households and save 32,000 tonnes of CO₂. For the park connection and the secure control of the medium-voltage infrastructure, Statkraft relies on technology from Ormazabal.

A hybrid power plant of this size requires complex electrical infrastructure. In addition to the connection to the higher-level substation, the connection between the solar park and the battery storage facility must be reliable and remotely controllable.

‘The biggest challenge was to create a solution that meets both the high safety requirements and the flexibility for operating a hybrid power plant,’ explains Thomas Höfkens, Solutions Manager at Ormazabal Germany, responsible for the project’s management.

We supplied a customised medium-voltage collection station that acts as a central interface between the substation, transformer stations and battery storage facility. The precast concrete station houses our cpg.0 medium-voltage switchgear and an auxiliary transformer with a capacity of 630 kilovolt-amperes.

Safe and remotely controllable: Ormazabal supplies intelligent switchgear

The primary switchgear, consisting of a total of six circuit breaker panels for feed-in, output and transformer, is designed for voltages up to 36 kilovolts, currents up to 1250 amps and a short-circuit resistance of 25 kiloamperes per second. The Ormazabal protection devices used are connected to the ekor.uct telecontrol system via Modbus TCP. This allows Statkraft to integrate the entire plant directly into its own SCADA system and control it remotely. Janitza network analysers, which are also connected via Modbus TCP bus, were used for the measured values.

‘Thanks to the intelligent switchgear, we can flexibly control the operation of the hybrid power plant and respond to grid requirements in an optimal manner,’ emphasises Fredy Cañizares, Solar Engineering Manager at Statkraft. ‘This is crucial for using the energy generated efficiently and ensuring security of supply.’

In order to ensure reliable operation of the control and protection technology even in the event of grid failures or voltage fluctuations, an uninterruptible power supply system with 230 volts AC/110 volts DC and a capacity of 33 ampere hours was integrated, so that critical components such as telecontrol systems and protection devices are supplied with a stable power supply at all times.

Connection of the storage system via a special outdoor solution

The battery storage system, located in the middle of the solar park, balances out fluctuations in the PV system’s output: surplus energy is stored during the day and released again when output is low. The storage system enables demand-oriented feed-in and maximises the benefits of the green electricity generated. Two additional cgm.3 switchgear units in an outdoor enclosure are used to connect the battery storage system. The integrated ekor.rpa‑021 protection devices were parameterised on site by the German Solutions team.

The compact solution is specially designed for outdoor use and demanding environmental conditions and ensures a secure connection between the storage system and the collection station.

The Ormazabal Solutions team supervised the project from planning and delivery to installation and commissioning of the collection station and outdoor switchgear.

With our technology, we are working with Statkraft to help make the energy transition a reality. The combination of solar park and battery storage strengthens grid stability – and our solution ensures reliable operation.