Energy storage involves preserving a quantity of energy produced for later use. Operating a storage plant optimises the feed-in of energy into the grid and helps to balance it.
On a global scale, the increase in demand for electricity, coupled with the resulting rise in prices and political unrest in several producer countries, is creating uncertainty over supply. In this context, electricity storage is becoming a crucial geostrategic asset.
"Energy that is stored when its availability exceeds demand can be released at a time when demand reaches higher levels. This makes it possible to compensate for intermittent or fluctuating energy production, particularly in the context of renewable energies."
Thomas Kohler, Head of Storage France
Battery storage (battery energy storage systems or "BESSs") are an essential component of the energy system. They ideally complement renewable generation which is by nature intermittent, presenting a major challenge for system operators.
This technology makes it possible to:
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As a global leader in energy transition, RWE develops, builds, finances and operates battery storage systems in Europe, Australia and the U.S. With its many years of experience in battery storage systems, RWE takes care of planning, modelling, system integration and commissioning of its storage projects.
RWE aims to build more than 3 GW of battery storage by 2030.
In France, RWE has received authorisation to develop a storage project with a capacity of 20 MW or 40 MWh. The Group has a portfolio of around 200 MW in the country.
Lithium-ion batteries (the most widely used today) have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years under standard conditions of use.
As they are used, BESSs naturally undergo a degradation of their capacity, this degradation being more pronounced when the battery is used more intensively. Average degradation is estimated at around 2% per year.
Battery electricity storage offers a unique opportunity to maximise revenues in the energy sector. Two key strategies are at work: arbitrage and ancillary services.
By combining these two approaches, battery storage systems play a key role in optimising revenues while contributing to the stability and sustainability of our electricity network.
Lithium-ion batteries have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years but have the possibility of a second lease of life with lower performance. They can, for example, provide back-up power for commercial or industrial applications. In parallel with the development of batteries, the recycling market is also expected to mature rapidly, with a higher collection rate and a rebalancing of the costs of recycling and those of primary production.
