RWE researches large-scale storage for green electricity in salt caverns

“The future belongs to renewables. In order to make optimal use of green electricity, we need large stationary electricity storage systems. At RWE, we are exploring different storage solutions”, comments Andreas Frohwein, Technical Managing Director of RWE Gas Storage West. “In the future, we may be able to use our salt caverns as batteries for storing enormous quantities of electricity. Using existing technical infrastructure, they could also be connected to the electricity grid quickly.” Peter Geigle, CEO of CMBlu Energy AG, also perceives major potential: “Organic flow batteries are based on carbon, which is available globally in almost unlimited volumes. The components are easy to recycle, and water is the largest component by volume. That means the battery isn’t flammable, so it’s safe to use. In addition, organic storage systems use no metal, unlike most other batteries.”

Planned installation of a test system by 2024
To be able to use the salt caverns as batteries in the future, RWE and CMBlu are planning to fill them with an organic electrolyte solution, which will then serve as the primary energy source. As a first step, potentially suitable electrolytes have been identified as part of a theoretical feasibility study. In the second stage, between now and the beginning of 2021, their suitability for use in salt caverns will be investigated in the lab. From the spring of 2021, once a suitable electrolyte has been identified, work will start on constructing and operating a test system. The planned generating capacity of that system is 100 kilowatts, with a storage capacity of up to 1,000 kilowatt hours. This third stage of the project is expected to be concluded by the spring of 2024.

RWE Gas Storage West GmbH

Essen-based RWE Gas Storage West operates and markets five underground natural gas storage facilities (cavern storage systems) for the north-west European gas market with a working gas volume of about 1.7 billion cubic metres. These natural gas storage facilities, combined with the flexible and reliable services of RWE Gas Storage West, make an important contribution to security of supply in the natural gas market. Looking into the future, the gas storage facilities with their ability to store energy for the short and long term in the context of integrated energy can play an important part in ensuring a reliable and affordable energy transition. The large-scale electricity storage facility based on redox flow battery technology is a step in this direction.

CMBlu Energy AG

CMBlu develops large-scale, hi-tech stationary electricity storage facilities for all areas of the energy system. With a staff of more than 60 at its Alzenau location, near Frankfurt am Main, it is a pioneer and market leader in sustainable organic flow batteries. It therefore delivers a flexible, scalable key technology for the energy transition. Working with leading industrial firms, it designs and produces high-performance batteries for national and international customers.