RWE recently made a splash with their plans to construct Europe’s largest battery storage system in Lingen, Germany. This creative innovation will play a critical role in stabilizing the future electricity grid. Construction on the major new facility should begin February 2. Environmental and detailed design preparatory works are 60% completed for an 8.5-hectare zone in the southern half of the industrial estate. The program is an example of RWE’s efforts to improve energy reliability as the need for a more reliable, stable source of energy grows.
Beyond more than 200 lithium-ion battery storage units, the Lingen battery storage system will include over 100 inverters. Furthermore, it will comprise over 50 medium-voltage transformers. The installation will include two high-voltage transformers and two medium-voltage switch panels. In addition to that technology-minimum storage capacity, the facility’s total storage capacity exceeds 800 megawatt-hours. It is designed to provide high power for at least two hours at a time.
This advanced system will deliver balancing energy to the grid, absorbing or feeding in power within a few milliseconds, depending on demand. It both fills immediate short-term gaps and stretches resources to cover peak-load periods. This strategy helps maintain reliability while new gas-fired power plants ramp up.
RWE Generation CEO Nikolaus Valerius stressed the significance of the facility in delivering stability in energy supply.
“Our new battery storage facility in Lingen will absorb or feed in power within a few milliseconds, depending on demand. It will thus make an important contribution to grid stability and reliable electricity prices.” – Nikolaus Valerius, RWE Generation CEO
Valerius went deeper on the perfect marriage between battery storage and gas-fired power plants.
“With the expansion of renewable energies, the demand for firm capacity is growing. New gas-fired power plants and battery storage facilities complement each other perfectly in this regard: while gas-fired power plants step in when wind and solar power fail to supply energy for hours or days, battery facilities primarily bridge short-term gaps or periods of peak load.” – Nikolaus Valerius, RWE Generation CEO
RWE has now received all the permits required for the Lingen battery storage system. Until this approval there had been no construction for many months. The project represents a significant investment in Germany’s renewable energy infrastructure and highlights the company’s role in transitioning to a more sustainable energy future.