Pioneers for energy security: Fluence and TransnetBW start construction of Germany’s first Grid Booster
Fluence Energy and TransnetBW have commenced construction on Germany's first Grid Booster, a 250 MW battery-based energy storage system in Kupferzell. This project aims to improve the efficiency of Germany's transmission network by reducing grid congestion and improving renewable energy integration. The Grid Booster, anticipated to be operational soon, will support the transportation of wind energy from northern to southern Germany. The project spans 4.5 football fields and can charge or discharge 250 MW of power for an hour. The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to Germany's transition to a climate-neutral future, with an overall goal of reducing consumer electricity costs and generating €12 billion in economic value by 2050.
- Commencement of Germany's first 250 MW Grid Booster, enhancing energy security and efficiency.
- Grid Booster aims to reduce grid congestion and aid the integration of renewable energy.
- Project to cover 4.5 football fields, demonstrating significant infrastructural investment.
- Expected to charge and discharge 250 MW of power for one hour, showcasing robust capacity.
- Anticipated to support Germany's climate-neutral goals by improving renewable energy transport.
- Potential to reduce consumer electricity costs significantly by 2050.
- Fluence's commitment to further investment in technology and team expansion in Germany.
- High initial investment costs for the construction of the Grid Booster.
- Potential delays in project completion could affect projected benefits.
- Risk of technological failures affecting the efficiency of the Grid Booster.
- Dependence on successful integration with existing transmission networks for optimal performance.
Insights
The initiation of Germany's first and largest battery-based energy storage system is a significant milestone in the energy sector. With a capacity of 250 MW, this Grid Booster project promises to revolutionize the integration of renewable energy into Germany's grid. The project's ability to charge and discharge significant amounts of power for an hour highlights its potential to reduce grid congestion and enhance the efficiency of energy distribution.
Battery storage systems, particularly those of this scale, are pivotal for managing the intermittency of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. By storing excess energy when production is high and releasing it during peak demand, these systems can stabilize the grid and reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.
Furthermore, the innovative control architecture developed at Fluence's technology center in Erlangen signifies a step forward in grid management technologies. This project's success could set a precedent for similar projects globally, emphasizing the scalability and effectiveness of large-scale battery storage solutions.
From a financial perspective, the Grid Booster project represents a noteworthy investment in Germany's energy infrastructure. The projected economic benefits, including
For investors, Fluence Energy's involvement in this groundbreaking project could signify substantial growth opportunities. The anticipated
ERLANGEN, Germany, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fluence Energy GmbH (“Fluence”), a subsidiary of Fluence Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLNC), a leading global provider of energy storage products and services, and optimisation software for renewables and storage, and TransnetBW GmbH, the transmission system operator in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, have started the construction of Germany’s first and largest battery-based energy storage system deployed as a part of the country’s critical transmission network infrastructure.
The breaking ground event on June 10, 2024, was attended by Thekla Walker, Minister for the Environment, Climate Protection, and the Energy Sector of Baden Württemberg, as well as other local, regional, and national decision makers. Once completed, the 250 MW Grid Booster (German: “Netzbooster”) located at Kupferzell, a major hub of the German transmission grid, is anticipated to enable more efficient operation of the German transmission network.
The Grid Booster is expected to reduce the need for grid expansion and ease bottlenecks stemming from transporting wind energy from Germany’s north to the country’s southern load centers. By limiting grid congestion, the project will support greater integration of renewable energy. Its innovative character lies in the usage of the batteries as part of a complex control system intended to reduce congestion on transmission lines. The project’s footprint will be about 4.5 football fields in size and is expected to charge and discharge 250 MW of power for one hour.
“Germany is on its way to a climate-neutral future. We are honored to be part of this transition together with TransnetBW, a pioneering transmission system operator that spearheads the deployment of innovative technologies, ensuring the resilience and sustainability of power networks. At Fluence, we are on a mission to transform the way we power our world. Deploying our battery solutions in TransnetBW’s Grid Booster project will improve renewable integration and transform the way we power Germany,” said Paul McCusker, SVP & President EMEA at Fluence. “In our technology center in Erlangen, Germany, we develop and test industry-leading critical control architecture for the Grid Booster. We have committed further investment to expand our team and the technology centre in Germany to meet the accelerated demand.”
Dr. Werner Götz, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board at TransnetBW, said: “By using this technology in innovative ways we can increase capacity in the existing electricity grid and integrate more renewable energy. The Netzbooster is thus making an important contribution towards the energy transition.”
According to a study by Frontier Economics, the volume of battery-based energy storage in Germany is expected to increase fortyfold reaching 57 GWh with a connected capacity of 15 GW by 2030. Based on the modelling of Frontier Economics, battery storage can reduce the cost of consumer electricity and generate at least
ABOUT Fluence
Fluence Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FLNC) is a global market leader in energy storage products and services, and optimization software for renewables and storage. With a presence in 47 markets globally, Fluence Energy, Inc. provides an ecosystem of offerings to drive the clean energy transition, including modular, scalable energy storage products, comprehensive service offerings, and AI-enabled optimization software for managing and optimizing renewables and storage from any provider. The company is transforming the way we power our world by helping customers create more resilient and sustainable electric grids.
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Elisabeth Giesemann, Senior Policy & Communication Associate
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding expected operational performance and capabilities of the project, including potential impact on the German transmission network. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this press release, words such as “may,” “possible,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions and variations thereof and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events, and their potential effects on our business. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and there can be no assurance that future developments affecting our business will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, which include, but are not limited to, impacts to the project from geopolitical instability, extreme weather, and/or changes in the applicable regulatory regimes and energy goals relating to renewables and energy storage, failure to achieve the anticipated benefits and operational performance from the project, and other factors set forth under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on November 29, 2023, as updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in other filings we make with the SEC from time to time. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all such risk factors, nor can we assess the effect of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made in this press release. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur, or which we become aware of, after the date hereof, except as otherwise may be required by law.
Attached picture from left to right:
Paul McCusker (SVP & President EMEA Fluence, Ian Vincent Schölzel (District Administrator of the Hohenlohe District), Dr Werner Götz (CEO of TransnetBW), Thekla Walker (Minister for the Environment, Climate and Energy for the State of Baden-Württemberg), Christoph Spieles (Mayor of Kupferzell), Severin Mosek (Project Manager Netzbooster, TransnetBW)
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/71b46394-973e-49ae-bad6-e670fabb9920
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