3.5MW/7MWh Grid-side in Finland
Project Overview
BESS for Reserve Market in Finland combines a 3.4MW/7.1MWh grid-side battery system with an intelligent EMS to provide fast response for Fingrid reserve services (FCR and FFR), while also supporting peak shaving and energy arbitrage.
In response to Finland’s rapidly evolving ancillary services market and increasing need for fast frequency support, FFD POWER deployed a 3.5MW/7MWh grid-side battery energy storage system (BESS) to deliver peak shaving and frequency regulation services. This project demonstrates how a grid-side BESS can bridge the gap between sub-second balancing requirements and the limitations of conventional peaking capacity—stacking value across Fingrid reserve markets (FCR-N/FCR-D, FFR) and energy arbitrage through intelligent EMS dispatch.
Project Background
Finland’s power system is integrating a growing share of variable renewable generation, which increases the need for fast, controllable balancing resources. As the national transmission system operator, Fingrid procures frequency reserves and fast frequency response services to keep system frequency stable during both normal operation and disturbances. Grid-side BESS assets are well-suited to these requirements due to their high ramp rate, precise power control, and ability to sustain repeated cycling with predictable performance.
Project Challenge
- Fast-response compliance: Delivering accurate frequency response (including sub-second FFR) while maintaining stable operation and grid-code compliant control.
- Multi-service scheduling: Co-optimizing reserve availability (FCR/FFR) with peak shaving and energy arbitrage under strict state-of-charge (SoC) and availability constraints.
- Operational reliability: Ensuring high availability, repeatable performance, and low degradation under high cycling intensity and changing market conditions.
FFD POWER Solution
FFD POWER implemented an integrated grid-side BESS with an intelligent EMS capable of real-time frequency response, scheduled arbitrage dispatch, and reserve management. The EMS continuously monitors grid signals, market commitments, and operating limits to allocate capacity across services while protecting battery health and maintaining contracted availability.
System Specifications
- PV installed : N/A
- BESS POWER : 3.5 MW
- BESS capacity : 7 MWh
- Product used : Galaxy 3420 and Galaxy 3727
- Architecture: Grid-side BESS with multi-market EMS (FCR/FFR + Arbitrage)
Operational Logic: Multi-Market Co-Optimization
This EMS-driven strategy prioritizes contracted frequency services while dynamically allocating remaining capacity to peak shaving and energy arbitrage:
- Frequency Regulation (FCR-N / FCR-D): Automatic regulation to correct normal frequency deviations and provide full-power response during disturbances, within contracted performance envelopes.
- Peak Shaving & Arbitrage: Scheduled charge/discharge based on price forecasts and demand curves to reduce peak import and capture price spread, without violating reserve commitments.
- Predictive SoC & Thermal Management: Forecast-based planning (price, load, and grid events) reduces SoC/thermal stress and improves long-term cycling efficiency.
