Bahnhof AB contributes to regulating electricity grid frequency

Eaton’s UPS system with Eaton EnergyAware technology enables Bahnhof AB to become the first data center in Sweden to contribute to the FFR market (Fast Frequency Response)

Background

Bahnhof AB is an internet service provider that offers a wide array of IT- and cloud-based services for private households and companies worldwide. Bahnhof AB is known for maximum security green data centers, of which they have seven and run at the highest possible level of energy efficiency and recyclability. The business is growing rapidly and prides itself in always staying at the forefront of technical innovation.

Bahnhof AB has a variety of Eaton UPSs with batteries which ensure an uninterrupted supply of power. In May 2019, a market for private players was opened to participate in – thus balancing the frequency in the electricity grid through state-owned Swedish power grids. This made it possible to run the project that Bahnhof AB calls UPS-as-a-Reserve, now commonly known as Eaton EnergyAware.

Fortum is an aggregator who handles all communication with the Swedish authority Svenska Kraftnät. Svenska Kraftnät selected Fortum for researching the utilization of energy storage for demand flexibility.

Fortum is a leading clean-energy company developing and offering solutions for its customers in electricity, heating, cooling, as well as solutions to improve resource efficiency. Fortum also provide services for the power generation industry and solutions for consumers so that they can be smarter in their energy choices.

Challenge

Mikael Wallén who is Head of Data Center Infrastructure at Bahnhof learned of the opportunity to regulate the frequency in the electricity grid, so he discussed the possibility with Eaton. Bahnhof AB has a long history with Eaton and uses Eaton’s Uninterruptible Power Systems to provide backup power supply to Bahnhof AB’s data centers. At the time, Eaton was in the final stages of developing a ready-made solution with Fortum which would allow Bahnhof to use their Eaton UPS systems with batteries for this purpose. After discussions with Eaton, Mr. Wallén was able to present a proposal to Bahnhof AB.

Solution

Bahnhof AB has a deployment of various Eaton UPS, but it is within the Thule server hall, located in the center of Stockholm, where Bahnhof AB has installed its latest UPS, an Eaton Power Xpert 9395P. The Eaton Power Xpert 9395P UPS is able to provide a secondary function in addition, and without compromise, to its primary role of protecting the critical load.

The secondary function of the UPS is to provide fast frequency response to the grid which is made possible by additional measuring and communication equipment installed at site.  Bahnhof AB is now able to measure the frequency of the grid in very short time intervals. The communication and measurement equipment are also securely connected to Fortum’s virtual powerplant, enabling early detection and fast response to frequency deviations in the grid. When the frequency of the grid supply is outside of predetermined set points the Eaton Power Xpert 9395P UPS seamlessly activates to support grid frequency stabilization utilizing the energy stored within the UPS connected batteries. The critical load is prioritized and only the spare capacity of the UPS and battery system is used for the Grid support function.

The project outcome means that Bahnhof AB are contributing to the overall quality of the electrical grid and helping the adoption of more renewables on to the grid. An extra revenue is also generated through the compensation provided to Bahnhof AB by Svenska Kraftnät for the availability of their UPS power for fast frequency response participation. This has been made possible from the activation of the Eaton Power Xpert 9395P UPS energy aware functionality. Participation is also open to other Swedish companies that wish to participate in the frequency response markets.

Mr. Wallén explains: “The UPS generates money because we are compensated by Svenska Kraftnät for being able to use this equipment, whether it is needed or not. Fortum has connected equipment to our UPS that detects when it is time to disconnect from the electricity grid. It happens automatically. The need to disconnect arises when the demand for power is greater than the supply and the frequency drops below the 50Hz that the grid always strives for.”