Thuringia's New Energy Storage Facility to Boost Grid Stability by 2024
A large-scale energy storage facility is set to be built in Thuringia, with plans to move from development to grid connection in just a few months. This rapid timeline is possible because the project bypasses lengthy approval processes and avoids the need to construct a new grid connection. Instead, the storage system will be installed behind the existing grid connection point of an industrial site.
Berlin-based developer Scale Energy announced the project. The company specializes in building and operating battery storage systems directly on corporate premises. Compared to traditional greenfield projects on undeveloped land, this approach allows for faster resolution of grid connection issues, permits, and regulatory requirements. The new storage facility will be located at the site of Cordenka, a viscose fiber manufacturer in Mühlhausen, and will have a capacity of four megawatt-hours. It is intended for grid services as well as energy arbitrage trading on the electricity market.
"This project in Mühlhausen demonstrates how quickly battery storage can be implemented when existing industrial infrastructure is used intelligently," said Managing Director Christoph Kössler. "In a short time, this creates additional flexibility for the power system, making a measurable contribution to grid stability and the integration of renewable energy."
Scale Energy develops battery storage projects for industrial and energy applications, with a focus on integrating them into existing industrial infrastructure. The company combines project development, market integration, and energy sector expertise. Scale Energy identifies unused capacity at existing grid connections of industrial firms and leverages these for battery storage operations. The company handles planning, permitting, financing, and construction of the facilities. For the site partners, no upfront investment is required—they provide the space and grid connection and, in return, share in the revenue. Depending on how the storage system is used, additional benefits may arise, such as cost savings on electricity procurement by taking advantage of favorable market conditions.
