Large-scale Battery Storage Cooperation Forum
Tackling Current Challenges Together and Developing Viable Solutions
The current dynamic growth of large-scale battery storage systems clearly shows that they are a key component of the energy transition. Their flexibility enables the integration of renewable energies, the provision of important system services and, in the long term, a reduction in grid operating and expansion costs. At the same time, the roll-out poses considerable challenges for stakeholders, including increasingly scarce grid capacities, complex grid connection processes, uncertainty about the impact on the grid and an unclear regulatory framework.
58 Companies – 4 Areas of Action– 1 Common Goal
To address these challenges, we have launched the Large-scale Battery Storage Cooperation Forum. Together with 58 companies – developers, marketers, grid operators and energy suppliers – we will develop practical and viable solutions. We are focusing on open, objective and scientifically sound dialogue. The results of the forum will also provide concrete impetus for the further development of the regulatory framework.
Four Key Areas of Action
In the coming months, the forum will focus on four key areas of action:
- Grid Connection Requests – Structuring procedures and making them more efficient
- Flexible Connection Agreements – Establishing more standardisation and transparency
- Grid Fees – Developing reasonable design options
- Co-Location – Identifying adaptation requirements and possible solutions
The forum is designed as a practical, solution-oriented format. Our methodological approach includes:
- Structured Exchange:We create a space for objective discussions and the joint development of solutions.
- Scientific Support:We contribute to finding solutions by providing in-depth scientific analyses of current issues.
- Solution Development: Our goal is to develop solutions which are supported by a majority of participants.
In addition, we will enter into dialogue with regulatory decision-makers and relevant associations.
Initial Findings
Definitions
Before we started working in the defined key areas of action, we discussed relevant terminologies in the context – because terms such as system-, market- or grid-friendly are still used in different ways. The following definitions represent a neutral summary of our discussions in the forum. They reflect different perspectives, but do not necessarily represent the position or opinion of individual companies in the forum.
The definitions developed can be interpreted related to the operation of assets or necessary investments due to the connection of an asset:
- Operational interpretation: The mode of operation of an asset at a given point in time has an impact on grid utilisation and thus on grid operator interventions in the sense of redispatch or Section 14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) or the ageing of operating equipment.
- Investment interpretation: The connection of an asset can only have a mitigating effect or no effect at all on the expansion requirements of the general grid if permanent grid-neutral or grid-friendly operation is already ensured at the time of connection.
The definitions are aimed at a grid effect or an effect on grid costs. The reference is always the entire grid without the asset in question. A comparison with the respective asset, e.g. in purely market-oriented operation, is not appropriate. In the event of opposing effects in upstream and downstream grid levels, the overall effect across grid levels is decisive for classification.
Action Areas – Initial Workshops
Each area of action begins with a kick-off workshop in which we work together to structure and prioritise challenges. Further information can be found in the respective PDF file available for download.
- In our kick-off workshop on ‘Grid connection requests’, we developed a common understanding of the problem and laid the foundation for consensus-based, practical solutions.
- Our second kick-off workshop focused on flexible grid connection agreements. Here, we discussed the key challenges and relevant design elements of flexible grid connection agreements, thereby laying the foundation for the development of practical solutions.
- In the third kick-off workshop, we discussed various proposals for grid fees. We compiled the advantages, risks, and design options for each proposal in order to develop targeted solutions based on this information.
Action Areas – Solution Workshops
For each action area, we organize a solution workshop to discuss potential solutions developed through intensive collaboration with our cooperation partners and based on our own analyses. Further information is available in the respective PDF files for download.
- In our first solution workshop on the action area of Grid Connection Procedures, we presented our analyses along with five concrete proposals for improvement. Together with our cooperation partners, we discussed how these proposals could contribute to a fair, efficient, and systemically sound grid connection process.
- In our second solution workshop on the action area of Flexible Grid Connection Agreements (FCAs), we discussed key theses on the design of FCAs, as well as their use as instruments for congestion management and as a prioritisation mechanism for grid connection requests.
- In the solution workshop on the action area of Grid Fee Regulations, we discussed with our cooperation partners how grid fee regulations should be designed and what implications different design options have for the operation of large-scale battery storage systems. The discussion focused in particular on the effects of different grid fee regulations on economic viability, operational behaviour, and system relevance.
- In the solution workshop on the action area of Co-Location, we discussed with our cooperation partners how the potential of co-located energy storage systems for grid integration can be effectively leveraged. The discussion focused on three key dimensions: challenges in the grid connection process for co-location projects, approaches to economic viability and market integration, and aspects of grid and system integration.
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