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SMA Altenso GmbH (Altenso) has been contributing to the energy transition over the past decade by implementing groundbreaking projects around the world. The company’s innovative solar hybrid systems, off-grid and grid-connected battery storage systems, as well as hydrogen applications, promote the flexible use of renewable energies and help reduce reliance on fossil energy sources. A wholly owned subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA), Altenso has experienced substantial growth over the last five years in particular to become a leading international system integrator. Altenso is now laying the groundwork for further growth by stepping up its focus on project development.
“I am very proud of the path that Altenso has travelled so far,” said SMA CEO Jürgen Reinert. “The international team has successfully delivered groundbreaking projects around the world over the past ten years. Altenso’s innovative solutions are contributing to SMA’s profitable growth and driving the company’s transition from product manufacturer to solutions provider. I’d like to wish the team every success as they continue to pursue this path.“
“We have achieved a lot together,” added Burkhard Söhngen and Enrique Garralaga Rojas, both of whom have been general managers of Altenso since 2018. “Over the past few years, we have established Altenso as a leading international system integrator for battery storage systems, hydrogen applications and solar hybrid systems. Our workforce has grown to nearly 100 employees from over 20 countries, but we’ve still managed to keep our unique team spirit going. We are very proud of all the colleagues who are putting their innovative drive, flexibility and incredible motivation into making Altenso a success.”
Since its foundation in the summer of 2014, the subsidiary of SMA has established significant milestones as an international solution provider for complex solar hybrid, off-grid and grid-connected battery energy storage systems (BESS) and hydrogen (P2G) applications. Overall, the company has now implemented BESS projects with an output of around 1.5 gigawatts and P2G projects with an output of approximately 1 gigawatt.
Altenso solution covers 100% of Caribbean island’s electricity needs with renewable energies
The solar and battery-based energy system on the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius is one example of a successful Altenso project. Equipped with SMA solar and battery inverters, the system features innovative functions such as grid forming and black start capabilities and provides the island with an electricity supply sourced entirely from renewable energies during the day. Other success stories include a hydrogen application with an electrolyzer capacity of 20 megawatts (MW) in Puertollano, Spain, which supplies a fertilizer plant. The system, which produces up to 3,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, went into operation in 2022 and is supplied by a 100-MW PV farm.
Bright prospects: flagship project in Namibia and battery storage system for Germany
Altenso has a unique task on the agenda for next year consisting of a solar-based hydrogen production project in Namibia with an additional battery storage system. In addition to carrying out the system integration for the BESS, the company will also be installing the rectifier system for hydrogen production. A completely new logic has been developed for the energy management system (EMS) used in this project. Altenso will also be implementing several turnkey BESS projects in Germany that the team has developed in-house and significantly stepping up development work on international projects with selected partners. |
