Energy storage systems are important in the transition to renewable energy because they can store energy when too much is produced from renewable sources, and make it available when needed. For example, energy from wind turbines can be stored for use when there is no wind. Battery systems can be adapted to different conditions because they can be placed almost anywhere and are flexible in size.
Energy storage will fundamentally support the energy transition and enable the transition to a renewable, carbon-free electricity system. Achieving targets in the Climate Agreement and RWE's climate-neutral targets by 2040 will require both large-scale renewable generation and flexible low-carbon generation solutions. Energy storage, such as batteries, can make a valuable contribution to the Benelux's energy security.
In an energy market with large amounts of renewable energy, energy storage can help smooth out the variable nature of renewable generation such as wind and solar power to better meet the country's electricity demand. It can also be used to help manage grid stability and electricity flows, for example in the event of grid congestion.
Energy can be stored in many forms. For short-term storage, battery energy storage systems (BESS) offer a good solution for power systems and market requirements. Batteries are rechargeable systems that store energy from the grid and deliver energy to the grid as needed. They incorporate advanced control technology that ordinary batteries do not have, to support grid and generation constraints.
As a driver of the energy transition, RWE develops, builds and operates battery storage systems with a total capacity of about 700 megawatts and has more than 1 gigawatt of battery storage projects under construction worldwide. In Germany, several battery storage systems are already in operation (in Lingen and Werne) and several projects are under construction. RWE is also very active in Australia, the UK and the US in the further development, construction and operation of battery storage systems. RWE is currently aiming for a global energy storage capacity of 6 gigawatt by 2030. The company aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 and to this end is investing €55 billion between 2024 and 2030 to expand its core green activities worldwide.
In Eemshaven, the first RWE battery in the Netherlands is being built and is expected to be in operation in early 2025. RWE is also operating innovative battery storage solutions. For example, at the Magnum power plant in Eemshaven, the Battolyser has been installed. This is basically a pilot setup where, in addition to the battery storage function, hydrogen generation also takes place.
At RWE’s Moerdijk power plant, a 7.5 MW/11 MWh inertia battery is being constructed. With its ability to provide or absorb electricity within milliseconds, the system will help to safeguard the electricity grid. This function is called inertia.
Sustainable electricity sources can have sudden fluctuations depending on wind force. Our grid is not suited to handle these sudden fluctuations. This battery’s technology can help with this issue, by quickly injecting power into the grid when there is a sudden drop in generation. This is called synthetic inertia. This technology is now being tested for the first time in the continental European grid, at Moerdijk. This innovation is part of the blueprint for system integration of OranjeWind. Commissioning is planned for the end of 2024, followed by a two-year pilot phase.
Read more about the Battolyser project
