Spread across two locations and coupled with hydropower stations – RWE operates one of the largest and most innovative battery storage systems in Germany. A battery system with a total capacity of 117 megawatts was installed at the company’s power plants in Lingen (Lower Saxony) and Werne (North Rhine-Westphalia). What is special about this project is that the batteries will be virtually coupled with RWE’s run-of-river power stations along the river Mosel. By raising or decreasing the flow-through at these power stations, RWE can make additional capacity available, also as balancing energy. This coupling process raises the total capacity of the batteries by another good 15 percent. So the battery and the hydropower stations work hand in hand to help keep the frequency in the power grid stable. Around 50 million euros were invested in this project. 

The system comprises 420 lithium-ion battery racks, housed in 47 overseas shipping containers. The system at the Gersteinwerk in Werne  has a capacity of 72 MW while the one at the Emsland station in Lingen has 45 MW.

The fact that RWE has all the necessary expertise within the company – outstanding battery competency, a deep understanding of the market and many years of experience in operating power stations – formed the basis for developing this innovative solution. The company already operates battery storage systems in the U.S., Germany and Ireland. Other large-scale projects are currently ongoing. At the same time, RWE is working on projects with innovative technologies such as redox-flow storage systems and second-life batteries, i.e. the stationary use of former electric vehicle batteries.