Allgäuer Überlandwerk and green flexibility plan joint large-scale battery storage facility

The energy supplier Allgäuer Überlandwerk and the battery storage experts from the green flexibility group have entered into a cooperation agreement for the development of joint large-scale battery storage projects as a contribution to a safe and clean energy transition and to strengthening the existing grid infrastructure. The first joint project will be realised in Immenstadt.

Kempten, August 2024

THE PROJECT

The Allgäu region is once again driving innovation in the energy sector. As part of the joint project in Immenstadt, the largest battery storage facility in the Allgäu with a capacity of 35 MWh is being built. This doubles the current battery storage pool in the Allgäu grid area. The facility will be built at a central point in the electricity infrastructure and connected directly to the substation in Immenstadt. On the one hand, the new battery storage system will be used for the traditional marketing areas on the electricity exchange and the balancing power markets in order to sustainably reduce electricity prices for the national grid. On the other hand, the storage system will also be available for use by the local grid operator AllgäuNetz to provide additional relief and stabilisation at this level. Both partners are focussing on the long-term, sustainable operation of the system. The scheduled grid connection is planned for the first quarter of 2025. Two positive additional benefits: The storage facility will enable annual savings of around 150,000 tonnes of CO2.  And the municipality of Immenstadt will benefit from additional trade tax revenue.

 

THE PARTNERSHIP

As a local energy supplier, Allgäuer Überlandwerk has been operating its own battery storage systems for several years and is continuously investing in a secure and sustainable energy supply for the Allgäu region. The green flexibility group – founded by experienced experts and managers centred around the founder and former CEO of sonnen, Christoph Ostermann – plans, builds and operates its own large-scale battery storage facilities throughout Germany on a long-term basis.

"While the expansion of renewables continues to progress, the electricity grid infrastructure is reaching its limits due to the unplannable amounts of electricity in the grid. In order to relieve the strain on the grids and achieve the planned integration of up to 80% renewables in the electricity mix, we need more flexibility in the grid through large-scale battery storage", explains Christoph Lienert, COO of green flexibility.

"Large-scale battery storage systems are not only part of the national energy system, but also of the regional electricity grid. That is why we have developed and implemented a unique operating logic that also takes into account the specific needs of the regional grid and thus ensures genuine grid serviceability on site. This innovative approach points the way forward for large-scale battery storage systems as a critical prerequisite for the success of the energy transition. In AÜW, we have gained a forward-looking partner that continues to set new standards in the energy sector and are delighted with the trust placed in us”, says Christoph Ostermann, CEO of green flexibility.

Michael Lucke, Managing Director of Allgäuer Überlandwerk GmbH, explains: "The long-term cooperation between the two companies allows interests to be combined and strengths to be pooled. In our eyes, the battery storage project in Immenstadt is an innovative, partnership-based project that will serve as a blueprint for the future. Further joint projects will follow."