Prince Carlos, Duke of Parma launches a unique project in Europe 'Smart Power Ameland'
On Friday, December 19th, 2014, Prince Carlos in the Nature in Nes Ameland launched Smart Power Ameland. In this project, 45 fuel cells connected to the grid and controlled remotely.By linking these devices together effectively creating a virtual power plant ("Virtual Power Plant"). The intelligent control of this large number of fuel cells makes the project unique in Europe.
In the project Smart Power fuel cells at Ameland 45 municipal sites, businesses and residents located on Ameland, which are then controlled collectively smart.The fuel cells use natural gas and go local produce electricity and heat at times when renewable sources, such as the future 'sunbathing' with 10 acres of PV panels, letting off by weather while knowing or electricity needed. Thus, the fuel cell with its high efficiency and fast can, flexible settings ensure the necessary grid stability of electricity supply.Such innovative gas application is essential for the transition to a decentralized, sustainable, reliable and affordable energy.
Ameland has a first in this house. The official launch of the project on 19 December by Prince Carlos, Duke of Parma, together with the Provincial Executive of the Province of Friesland Mrs. Schokker and Mayor of Ameland Albert Hope during a meeting at the Nature Centre to Nes. The project was supported by the Wadden Fund and the Province of Friesland established and contributes to the objectives of the municipality of Ameland and Sustainable Wadden to be self-sufficient by 2020 in the field of energy.
The fuel cell
Fuel cells convert hydrogen, in this case obtained from natural gas, and oxygen through an electrochemical process into electricity. The electrical efficiency of the fuel used on Ameland is a factor of 2 higher than that of conventional power plants.This is because the can not be used heat released in almost all cases with central power generation and transmission losses also occur.
The high efficiency of the fuel cell and the use of natural gas, CO2 emission (per kWh), only a quarter of the emissions of a coal plant. If the fuel cell would use the biogas system can even be carbon neutral.
To the Virtual Power Plant concept as effectively as possible to apply, does the Energy Transition Center at the Energy Academy Europe Groningen additional research into the central control of fuel cells.
Project partners
The project partners of Smart Power Ameland except for the municipality of Ameland, Province of Friesland and the Wadden Fund, throttle house GasTerra and Blue Generation. In the implementation of the project include fuel cell manufacturer Ceramic Fuel Cells, operator Alliander, Eneco Installation and Ameland installers Faber- Wynberg installation, Installatiebedrijf Bunicich, Installatiebedrijf Miller and R. Installatiebedrijf Old question.
