Battery storage at PNE
Flexibility for the energy transition
At PNE, we regard battery storage (often referred to as BESS – Battery Energy Storage System) as a key component of a stable, flexible and efficient energy system. Battery storage makes it possible to time-shift electricity feed-in, integrate renewable energy efficiently into the energy system and make energy projects more robust overall.
When developing battery storage systems, we take a clear approach: we assess the integration of battery storage right from the development stage of our wind power and photovoltaic projects, thereby increasingly developing hybrid solutions that combine generation and storage.
A key advantage is our own infrastructure. With PNE’s own substations, we have ideal connection points and can simultaneously develop hybrid solutions.
Storing energy and using it where it’s needed
How do battery storage systems work?
A battery storage system is a facility that enables us to draw, store and subsequently release electrical energy.
In practice, this means that we use storage systems specifically to draw electricity when there is plenty of energy available on the grid, and then supply it when demand rises. In this way, we take the strain off the electricity grid and create new marketing opportunities.
Why are battery storage systems crucial to the energy transition?
Flexibility for renewable energy
Electricity generation from wind and solar power is variable, as green electricity depends on the weather and the time of day, and is not always produced when it is needed.
Take solar energy, for example: during the day, the sun shines and many solar panels feed electricity into the grid at the same time. However, electricity demand rises in the evening. Battery storage systems can shift the surplus energy from the midday hours to the evening hours.
Battery storage systems provide the necessary balance here by:
- Shifting the timing of electricity feed-in
- Responding quickly to grid and price signals
- Reducing curtailment of wind and photovoltaic plants
For us, battery storage systems are therefore not merely a complement to existing technologies, but an integral part of a sustainable energy system. They represent a logical extension of our portfolio and a key lever for designing projects in a way that benefits the system. In combination with wind and photovoltaic plants, battery storage systems can be efficiently integrated into project structures.
The benefits of battery storage systems
Ensuring stability and flexibility
As the share of renewable energy increases, so does the need for flexibility:
- Battery storage systems make an important contribution by balancing generation and consumption and responding quickly to changes in the electricity system.
- They stabilise the grid, enable the provision of system services and help to ensure that less electricity from renewable sources needs to be curtailed.
- As they require relatively little space, they can be easily integrated into existing infrastructure, for example in the vicinity of PNE’s own substations or renewable energy plants.
In this way, we at PNE support a more efficient use of existing generation capacity.
Frequently asked questions about battery storage systems
Battery storage systems can be implemented either on their own or in combination with wind and photovoltaic projects.
They are often built near existing infrastructure, such as substations, or alongside power generation facilities, in order to make efficient use of existing grid connections and capacity.
The development process for battery storage systems is essentially similar to that of wind and photovoltaic projects.
Typical steps include:
- Site identification and securing land
- Grid connection application
- Planning for regulatory approvals
- Construction and commissioning
The space required is relatively small – even larger storage facilities generally take up less than one hectare.
A battery storage system typically consists of:
- Battery modules (storage)
- Inverters or power electronics
- Transformers and grid connection equipment
- Control systems
Modern battery storage systems are equipped with comprehensive safety and monitoring systems. Clear technical standards, together with defined operational and decommissioning plans, ensure that they can be safely integrated into existing infrastructure. Furthermore, each project is based on a fire safety concept that addresses fire-specific risks.
A battery storage system is generally characterised by two key parameters:
Power: This describes how much electrical power a storage system can absorb or release at any given time. The unit used is MW (megawatts).
Storage capacity: This describes the total amount of energy that can be stored. The unit used is MWh (megawatt-hours).
For example, a storage system with a capacity of 10 MW / 40 MWh can supply a power output of 10 MW for four hours.
