Market RadarBESS & Batterijparken
Chile Tests Advanced Grid-Forming Technology at 48 MW/275 MWh BESS
Chile has successfully conducted field tests of advanced 'grid-forming' technology at Engie's 48 MW/275 MWh Los Loros BESS. This technology enables the battery system to autonomously stabilize grid voltage and frequency, even in isolated grids. The tests, a collaboration between Engie Chile and Huawei, are crucial for renewable energy integration and the development of national standards. The Los Loros BESS, featuring LFP batteries and a $64 million investment, exemplifies the broader adoption of this technology in Chile, with similar projects underway.
Chile’s national grid operator has successfully conducted field tests of advanced grid-forming technology at Engie’s Los Loros Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in the Atacama region. These tests, carried out in collaboration with Engie Chile and Huawei, represent a significant step towards integrating this technology into Chile’s National Electricity System (SEN).
During the trials, Power Block No. 1 of the Los Loros BESS operated in grid-forming mode and successfully formed an electrical island. According to the National Electricity Coordinator, the system maintained stable voltage and frequency on this isolated grid throughout the test. The primary objective of these tests is to gather operational data that will support the development of verification criteria for grid-forming technology and its seamless integration.
Unlike grid-following inverters, which operate by adhering to existing voltage and frequency references, grid-forming systems can establish these references independently and respond autonomously to changes within the power system. The Chilean grid operator’s requirements for such systems include autonomy, synchronization, rapid voltage and frequency control, islanded operation capabilities, and oscillation damping. Furthermore, they must maintain stable operation even on very weak grids and in passive systems.
The Los Loros BESS, which commenced commercial operation at the end of August, boasts a gross power output of 48 MW and a storage capacity of 275.23 MWh. The system comprises 63 lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery containers and involved an investment of $64 million. It is integrated with the Los Loros solar PV plant, designed to store a portion of the daytime solar generation for later delivery to the grid.
The formal framework for grid-forming technology began to take shape in October 2024 with recommendations for minimum technical requirements, followed by the publication of final requirements in April 2025. A guide for the verification of grid-forming inverter-based installations was subsequently released in May 2026. Huawei Digital Power and SMA Solar Technology were actively involved in this process through collaborative agreements.
Chile is witnessing a broader adoption of this technology. For instance, Enel Chile began construction in August of the 100 MW Finis Terrae BESS in the Antofagasta region, which will also utilize grid-forming technology. Additionally, Atlas Renewable Energy and Trina Storage are developing the Copiapó PV + BESS project in the Atacama region, featuring 233 MW of solar PV and 932 MWh of storage with grid-forming capabilities.
These initiatives underscore Chile's commitment to fostering a more stable and resilient electricity grid, which is crucial for the continued expansion of renewable energy sources.
Source: pv magazine
Want to know what this means for you?
Talk to Oranje-Eco →This article is an Oranje-Eco summary of a report by pv magazine. Read the original: pv magazine.
What opportunities do you foresee for the application of grid-forming BESS systems in your region, considering the increasing demand for grid stability and renewable energy integration?
No comments yet - be the first.