Für die Integration neuer Erneuerbarer im Energiesystem spielen Batteriespeicher eine Schlüsselrolle. Foto: © Kyon Energy
VERBUND is Austria’s leading energy company and one of the largest producers of electricity from hydropower in Europe. The company plans to install a total of 2,500 MWh of battery storage capacity by the end of 2030. One of the next projects is being built in Weißenthurm-Kettig, Rhineland-Palatinate. A large-scale battery storage facility with a capacity of 116 MWh will be installed here by 2026. The expansion of wind and solar energy must be driven forward intensively until 2030. However, this will lead to large fluctuations in the electricity grid. Battery storage systems compensate for these fluctuations, regardless of whether there is too much or too little energy in the system. Grid operators in Germany remunerate this balancing service from flexible providers, which therefore makes a significant contribution to the stability of the electricity grid.
With grid-supporting services, battery storage systems secure the distribution grid and help to integrate renewable energies. By feeding in power and work, costs for the use of upstream grid or transformer levels are saved. Surplus energy is used on the balancing energy market or intraday market. “The successful integration of fluctuating forms of generation into strong and stable grids is the key to a successful renewable future. The VERBUND battery storage systems in Germany and Austria are making a valuable contribution to this. To date, we have around 110 MW in operation and a further 300 MW under contract, with a focus on Germany,” emphasizes Martin Wagner, Managing Director of VERBUND Energy4Business. “We are resolutely driving forward the transformation of the energy system. Our expertise and our holistic approach make us a strong energy partner for municipal utilities, industry, grid and plant operators. We offer everything from a single source, from the supply of green electricity and CO2 certificates to business solutions for photovoltaics, charging infrastructure for e-mobility, battery storage and flexibility marketing.”
The expansion of the portfolio and the further development from a storage operator from hydropower to a storage operator using battery storage is a logical step for VERBUND. With its in-depth expertise in storage management and trading flexibility on the energy markets, VERBUND is expanding its value chain. VERBUND is assuming the role of an investor and operator of battery storage systems. VERBUND not only uses its experience in the marketing of battery flexibility for its own battery storage systems, but also offers this expertise to other companies. Further battery storage locations are already being implemented and others are being planned.
