The expansion of renewable energies is progressing well—in Germany, they already cover around 60% of electricity consumption. In addition to further generation plants, however, the focus in the second half of the energy transition is on a crucial addition: battery storage.

Battery storage systems store energy when generation exceeds demand and the grid is at risk of overload – for example, at midday when solar power production peaks. When generation declines during the day while demand rises, they feed electricity into the grid. They are therefore an important pillar for the comprehensive green electricity supply of tomorrow. At the same time, they ensure that surplus energy in this country does not go unused and that the power grid remains stable.

Stabilizing the power grid, reducing costs

For a stable, clean energy system, we need a combination of short-, medium-, and long-term battery storage systems. These can be connected directly to the generation plants as co-location storage systems or as standalone storage systems where the public power grid is particularly overloaded.

Storage systems have several advantages for the economy as a whole. On the one hand, they compensate for extreme fluctuations in electricity prices, and on the other hand, they ensure that as much green electricity as possible can be used. Finally, they reduce the need for grid expansion. We already need battery storage systems as stabilizers today, and we will need them even more in the future. They are an essential part of our energy system of tomorrow.

Securing solar power peaks

The power generation profile of a solar power system resembles an S-curve. It peaks at midday when the sun is at its strongest. The electricity generated during this time that exceeds demand can be stored and fed into the grid at a later hour when the curve drops.