Polish storage project bolsters grid flexibility

Polish utility PGE has announced its plan to combine a pumped-storage plant at Żarnowiec with a new battery energy storage system (BESS) to create a hybrid installation. With a combined capacity of 921MW, the project will provide much needed balancing to the country’s grid system as more renewables come online.

The project, said to be one of the largest projects of its kind in Europe, has obtained the necessary approvals to proceed. PGE is now applying for European funding and looking for investors to finance the project.

According to PGE, the project will integrate the existing 716MW pumped-storage plant at Żarnowiec with the new BESS, resulting in a hybrid installation with a capacity of 921MW.

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This will supply energy to approximately 200,000 households for at least 5 hours and will provide much-needed balancing services for the Polish power system, especially as more renewables are integrated.

Wojciech Dąbrowski, CEO of PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna, commented in a statement: “PGE Group is working on the largest energy storage facility in Europe. The project obtained the first license promise in Poland for electricity storage.

“The strategic goal of the Group in the area of energy storage is to have 800MW of new energy storage installed capacity in Poland by 2030. The energy stores will ensure safe system integration of new renewable energy sources, will contribute to the stabilisation of the power system and will improve the country’s energy security.

“The energy storage project in Żarnowiec is in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal with respect to better integration of RES and limiting the use of high emission conventional generation units.”

The Żarnowiec hydroelectric power plant is located at the Żarnowieckie Lake in the Pomorskie Voivodeship, Poland. The plant uses the Żarnowieckie Lake as the downstream reservoir. The upstream reservoir is formed by the Czymanowo Lake, which is an artificial lake and was constructed at the nearby plateau.

PGE suggests that the project will positively impact the competitiveness of energy markets, as well as promote the synchronisation of Europe’s energy systems, important goals as the region works to increase energy security.