| Power plant products
Statkraft and Suncatcher to market solar and battery storage facilities in Germany
Statkraft and energy project developer Suncatcher have signed an agreement covering the marketing of three combined solar and battery storage systems in Germany. The projects Klötze II, Salzwedel and Seehausen, developed by Suncatcher, will be transferred to Statkraft for marketing and optimisation once they are commissioned in the second half of 2026. Together, the projects have an installed PV capacity of 34.5 MWp and a battery storage output of 12 MW, with a storage capacity of 24 MWh. The batteries will be charged exclusively by the connected solar plants. The agreement runs until 2031.
Statkraft will be responsible for marketing the solar plants and the associated battery storage systems as jointly operated hybrid systems. Electricity generated by the solar plants will be sold under direct marketing arrangements. A profit sharing model has been agreed for the
Sascha Schröder, VP, Central European Origination at Statkraft, commented: “Hybrid facilities are a key building block for integrating renewable energy into the market in an economically viable and system supportive way, even under changing market conditions. In doing so, we are strengthening our role as a strategic partner for the next generation of renewable assets in Germany.”
battery storage assets. During operation, Statkraft will manage the integrated control of generation, storage and marketing. This involves co-ordinating the charging and discharging of the batteries with solar generation as well as relevant market and grid signals. This approach makes it possible to unlock additional revenue potential while at the same time creating transparent and comprehensible revenue structures that support the economic stability and bankability of the projects.
Following its first in-house project in Zerbst (Saxony Anhalt) under the innovation tender, Statkraft plans to expand its activities in hybrid assets through its co-operation with Suncatcher. The partnership represents a major component of the company’s corporate strategy, to further expand its portfolio of generation assets and innovative marketing solutions while strengthening its role as a driver of the energy transition.
ABB launches improved emissions monitoring system
ABB has launched its ACF5000 LCS (Low CEMS Specialist), which it believes is the only certified low-range continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) on the market. Built to meet the strictest requirements benchmarked by the EU’s Industrial Emissions Directive, it is said to enable operators to comply with tighter emission limits while improving environmental performance and operational efficiency. With single-digit parts-per-million detection capability, the ACF5000 LCS has QAL1 certification by TÜV.
It has been engineered for applications such as waste incineration and other energy-intensive sectors that require highly accurate monitoring at ultra-low emission levels. The launch comes at a critical time for European industry, as the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan accelerates the need for stricter emissions control. The IED 2.0
Directive introduces significantly lower emission limit values, requiring a CEMS to operate within tighter certification ranges. Systems that do not meet these requirements are no longer suitable for new installations.
“IED 2.0 fundamentally changes the depth of emission control” said Jean-Rene Roy, Global Business Line manager at ABB’s Measurement & Analytics division. “Building on more than 30 years of emission monitoring systems leadership and thousands of installed systems, ABB is now enabling measurement of emission ranges that are up to 10 times lower.”
The ACF5000 LCS system integrates ABB’s high- resolution Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) that selectively measures infrared-active gas molecules with exceptional sensitivity and stability. It is combined with integrated Flame Ionisation
Detection (FID) for volatile organic compounds (VOC) and zirconia-based oxygen sensing in a complete hot/wet extractive solution, capable of monitoring more than 15 gas components simultaneously. It uses automatic validation technology that ensures measurement integrity, preventing regulatory deviations and providing reliable and efficient long-term operation. Reduction of reporting complexity can be achieved by consolidating all emissions data in one source, using ABB’s CEM-DAS data acquisition handling system. ACF5000 LCS is integrated with ABB’s digital solutions, including Genix Datalyzer, enabling fleet monitoring of CEMS systems across devices and plant. It is also integrated with ABB’s My Measurement Assistant+ with Copilot AI, a web application that brings device health data, service history and diagnostics into one place.
A new approach to modular substations
SSEN Transmission has taken a new approach to substation delivery, with standardised modular units that enable much of the assembly, wiring, and testing to be completed off site before installation and commissioning. Designed to operate at 132 kV and 33 kV, the modular substations are well suited to smaller scale grid connection projects, including individual windfarms and other renewable generation. SSEN’s substation programme is now being rolled out across a large portion of customer connection projects, led by SSEN Transmission, with energisations beginning from Autumn 2028.
Because much of the construction is carried out in controlled factory environments, modular substations offer clear benefits over traditional builds. These include a standardised and repeatable design, built in safer and cleaner conditions, resulting in a smaller site footprint and less time spent on site. This reduces costs and disruption for local communities while still meeting the high safety, quality and reliability standards required for critical electricity infrastructure. Equipment supply will be via major framework agreements with Hitachi Energy UK and GE Vernova, enabling the delivery of modular
substations following a year-long competitive tender process.
Markus Heimbach, CEO, High Voltage Products business unit, Hitachi Energy UK Ltd, commented: “By enclosing EconiQ gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) within a robust, containerised structure, the IGA protects vital assets from the elements and from deliberate damage, while maintaining exceptional reliability. EconiQ SF6-free technology is as reliable and scalable as the conventional solution and delivers the lowest carbon footprint. It allows substations to be delivered as complete, tested systems, ready to run.”
www.modernpowersystems.com | May/June 2026 | 41
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