Ingeteam, world leader in power electronics and electrical engineering, in a consortium with Saft, leading manufacturer of batteries at world level, and Corex Solar, local constructor on La Reuni�n Island in the Pacific Ocean, have signed a multimillion euro contract for the installation of the largest photovoltaic plant with electric energy storage within the ambit of the French CRE (Comisi�n de R�gulation de l'Energie).

The installation at Bardzour on the island is the largest project of the group amongst the 16 solar parks adjudicated in 2012 by the French CRE, for a total of 50 MW photovoltaic solar production capacity with storage in Corsica and the French overseas departments. This project, promoted by the French Akuo Energy company, is located on Reuni�n island and its productive capacity will be 9 MW, equivalent to the average consumption of 13,500 persons.

From the perspective of the storage system, Ingeteam will supply the power electronics systems, the EMS energy management system, the AAC plant control system, the switchgear for medium voltage electric equipment, the overall installation, and a contract for its operation and maintenance which will enable guaranteeing the availability of our equipment, with a storage capacity of 9 MWh. Ingeteam is also the supplier of all the photovoltaic inverters for the installation.

Electric storage involved in renewable energy generation plants in weak network environments, such as exists on Reunion Island, enables an enhanced integration of renewable generation and provides greater manageability for the electric system, thanks to the delivery of stable and predictable power, independently of the intermittence of the renewable resource, thus minimizing variations in planned power supply.

In this way, the system of control provided by Ingeteam is key to guaranteeing the effective and efficient management of energy flows within the system and for the grid network, following rigorous technical specifications. The variations in production are penalised and so Akuo Energy will depend on a precise system of energy management as well as on the functioning of a stable system over time in order to guarantee financial income and ROI (return on investment) in accord with their aims.

This kind of installation forms part of the world of “Smart Grids”, electric grids or networks which enable the intelligent and advanced management of available electrical energy.