Brazilian delegation visits 228 MW energy storage project in Chile with SMA, e-STORAGE and Colbún

A Brazilian delegation composed of representatives from the National System Operator (ONS) and Eneva took part in a technical visit to Chile to gain first-hand insight into one of the most advanced battery energy storage projects in Latin America.

Brazilian delegation visits 228 MW energy storage project in Chile with SMA, e-STORAGE and Colbún

The initiative, organized by SMA, e-STORAGE and Colbún, aimed to promote knowledge exchange on the development and operation of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), as well as the application of advanced technologies such as grid-forming, which are essential for ensuring stability in power systems with a high share of renewable energy.

The agenda began in Santiago with technical meetings at Colbún’s headquarters and with the National Electric Coordinator. Discussions focused on the key challenges of integrating renewable energy into Chile’s power system, as well as the growing role of energy storage in the energy transition.

The delegation then traveled to the Atacama Region to visit the BESS Diego de Almagro Sur II project, one of the most significant storage initiatives in the country. The project is being developed by Colbún, with supply and implementation by e-STORAGE, the battery storage subsidiary of Canadian Solar.

The project incorporates advanced SMA technology, including medium-voltage power stations (MVPS) equipped with Sunny Central Storage inverters, integrated with transformers and medium-voltage equipment.

The system will deploy e-STORAGE’s SolBank 3.0 solution, based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology. It features an active battery management system and an advanced liquid cooling architecture designed for high performance, safety, and long-term reliability. e-STORAGE is also responsible for delivering the fully integrated BESS solution and a long-term service agreement (LTSA).

With an installed capacity of 228 MW and a storage capacity of 912 MWh, the system will enable excess solar energy generated during the day to be stored and dispatched during peak demand periods. The infrastructure also includes 67 Sunny Central Storage 4400 inverters, using silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET technology, connected to the Inca de Oro substation, with the potential to supply electricity equivalent to more than 55,000 households.

Among the key features of the SMA solution are synthetic inertia provision and grid support functionalities, which enhance system stability and resilience, ensuring reliable power supply during contingencies, along with a market-leading efficiency of up to 99.45%.

The project also includes an advanced power plant control system based on the SMA Power Plant Manager, enabling safe, flexible, and optimized operation at utility scale.

During the visit, the Brazilian representatives were able to directly observe the performance of these technologies and Chile’s progress in implementing solutions to efficiently manage renewable energy variability.

“Chile has established itself as a natural laboratory for large-scale renewable energy integration, and today energy storage is a key enabler for more flexible and resilient power systems. At SMA, we contribute with technologies that go beyond storage, providing grid stability through features such as grid-forming,” said Fernando Zurita, from the Business Development area.

César Novoa, solar and battery project manager at Colbún, emphasized the strategic importance of such infrastructure: “This type of system is essential to continue advancing the energy transition, as it allows us to store renewable energy and deliver it when it is most needed. In this way, we strengthen a more flexible and efficient energy matrix, better prepared for future challenges.”

The visit takes place in a regional context where energy storage is emerging as a fundamental element to accelerate the energy transition, enabling greater integration of renewable energy and ensuring power system stability.

Brazilian delegation visits 228 MW energy storage project in Chile with SMA, e-STORAGE and Colbún