CEEP REPORT (Q2): Electricity storage and batteries

In the second edition in 2019, CEEP report focuses on the emerging importance of the electricity storage technology for the future of electricity systems and presents some cases of deployment of this technology in Central and Eastern Europe. In order to cover at best this complex topic, the publication includes articles from the industry perspective, regulatory bodies (the European Commission) as well as market outlooks and expert views.

In the opening statement, Tudor Constantinescu, Principal Advisor to the Director General in DG Energy, argues that electricity storage will play an increasingly prominent role according to all decarbonisation scenarios in the long-term decarbonisation strategy “A Clean Planet for All”. He also points out on the key aspects of the Clean Energy Package which implementation will facilitate deployment of storage in the EU. Similarly, European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) provides an analysis of the key provisions of legal acts entailed by “Clean Energy for All Europeans” package concerning their impact on the development of storage technologies.

Concerning the EU level initiatives, Diego Pavia, CEO of InnoEnergy, elaborates on the significance of the key EU support mechanisms – European Battery Alliance for the development of the value chain of battery industry in the EU. As he points out “EBA initiative has also remarkably helped to identify the main efforts made in Europe. It has created a suitable condition to align, mobilize, orchestrate and provide extra visibility to the full set of EU tools and instruments in the hands of the European institutions”. Other article focuses on a new initiative related to EBA: BatteRIes Europe, which aims in the development of one-stop shop” for the battery-related R&I in Europe.

At the industry level Polish Energy Group (PGE) presents its plans in development of storage facilities, PSE – Polish electricity TSO describe how smart grid with hybrid BESS will help to stabilise the grid and Grupa Lotos share its experiences with pilot project HESTOR on storing the hydrogen in salt caverns. In the other article the experts from Polish Chamber of Energy Storage present current Polish legal framework and challenges for deployment of energy storage.

To provide broader regional perspective, developments in Hungary, Romania and Lithuania are presented. Attila Chikan CEO of Alteo, writes about the impact of the energy storage facility project on Hungarian electricity system. Audrius Baranauskas, Litgrid, elaborates on the already existing in Lithuania demonstration storage project and further investment plan of its company.  Last but not least, Mihai Paun from Romanian Energy Center presents lessons learned from two Horizon 2020 projects, which included deployment of storage facilities: WiseGrid and Crossbow.