RWE has commissioned one of the largest German battery storage systems at the Group’s Hamm and Neurath sites, with a total capacity of 220 megawatts (MW). It can reach its nominal capacity within seconds and provide power at that level for around one hour (235 megawatt hours, MWh). RWE is making the electricity from the battery storage systems available on various energy markets. The system contributes towards stabilising the electricity grid in particular through the balancing energy markets.
The storage system comprises 690 battery cabinets with eight battery modules each, with 140 MW (151 MWh) of capacity in Hamm (commissioned in December) and 80 MW (84MWh) in Grevenbroich-Neurath. In addition to the batteries, RWE also built the associated grid infrastructure. This includes high-voltage transformers as a connection point to the 110-kV grid.
Nikolaus Valerius, CEO RWE Generation SE: “With the storage plants in Neurath and Hamm, we are commissioning one of the largest battery systems in Germany. Our batteries perfectly complement the expansion of renewables which requires a growing number of large-scale energy storage systems. Further battery storage systems are already in planning. RWE offers the right solutions for all kinds of different challenges.”
Marc Herter, Lord Mayor of Hamm: “The commissioning of the large battery storage system at the Westfalen power plant site shows that Hamm continues to be a key energy location in the region. We are becoming an important location for a secure supply with green energy. Our existing high-performance grid infrastructure and Amprion’s new electricity highway, including the large “green power socket” at the Uentrop site, are proof of the area’s excellent future prospects in the post-coal era. With Germany’s largest battery storage system, RWE is already taking an important first step in the right direction.”
Klaus Krützen, Lord Mayor of Grevenbroich: “If we want structural change, we must supply new types of energy. The battery storage system in Neurath is thus an important step towards structural change in the region. The RWE plant not only contributes towards stabilising the electricity grid, but it also shows how innovative technologies are paving the way for an environmentally friendly and future-oriented energy supply. Investments of this type are essential in order to develop Grevenbroich and the Rhenish mining area into a leading technology and business location.”
The availability of suitable sites and proximity to grid connection points played a key role in the selection of the location. There is still significant potential for further development, especially in Hamm. RWE is planning to build further large-scale batteries on the site of its former Westfalen hard-coal power plant in Hamm-Uentrop.
As a driver of the energy transition, RWE develops, builds, and operates battery storage systems in the U.S., Europe, and Australia. The company currently operates battery storage systems with a total capacity of approximately 1.2 gigawatts. RWE is planning to expand its worldwide battery storage capacities significantly as an integral part of its “Growing Green strategy”.
Images for media use are available in the RWE Media Centre (credit: RWE)