Central Europe energy storage facility

About project→

General description

Energy storage facility of a cumulative installed capacity of 384 MW, storage capacity allowing a net annual electricity generation of 250 GWh. The storage will consist of several smaller units (~32-64MW) located in Slovakia (central Europe).

Considering energy density, charge and discharge efficiency, life span, and ecofriendliness of devices, the battery storage shall be based on Lithium-ion technology. In smaller scale, to increase the energy density of the batteries, the project also foresees the implementation of Lithium-sulphur technology.

The ELSEA project is enlisted on preliminary ENTSO-E’s TYNDP 2020 and is published on the website of ENTSO-E.
The ELSEA project is a candidate for the 2021 PCI list.

Project leaflet (.pdf)

Why a large energy storage in Central Europe?

Intermittent generation (wind, solar) causes difficulties for its dispatching as well as increases the complexity of network management. Currently there are no sufficient capacities to store excess energy even for short-time periods, what leads to increased demand for ancillary services and triggers inefficiency in energy utilisation.

Investments

Energy transition requires massive investments into transmission and distribution infrastructure.

High volatility

High volatility on energy markets makes power cost prediction very difficult. Currently consumers have no relevant measures to manage peak consumption.

Impact on enviroment

A negative impact on environment is caused by CO2 intensive power generation that aims to provide ancillary services for the grid.

Accumulating surplus

Decentralised generation units in EU citizens‘ homes would be more effective if they could accumulate the surplus power and supply it when needed.

Benefits of the project

  • Energy storage technologies allow us to store excess energy and discharge it when there is too little generation or too much demand.
  • Energy storage provides flexibility at different time-scales – seconds/minutes, hours, weeks and even months.
  • Storage can help consumers increase self-consumption of solar electricity, or to generate value by providing flexibility to the system.
  • Storage can help defer costly investments in transmission and distribution infrastructure, extending the lifetime of existing assets and supporting more efficient functioning of grids.
  • Energy storage deployment could facilitate the electrification heating, and cooling sectors and support the roll-out of very fast charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, particularly in areas with weak grids.
  • Industrial consumers can install storage facilities to reduce consumption peaks, and to provide back-up power if there is a blackout.
  • Storage at any level offers system services, safeguarding the secure and efficient operation of the electricity system.

Why ZSE Energia?

ZSE Energia, Slovakia based energy company, has 95+ years of experience from the electricity market in Central Europe. The company is one of the most innovative power and gas suppliers in the region. In 2019, ZSE Energia serves more than 1 million customers and delivers annually 9 TWh of energy.

Realization timeline

2021
2022
1
2023
2
2024
2025
3
2026
2035
4

1. 2021 - 2022

The Project has been supported by the national TSO and the Ministry of Economy at its launch

Feasibility and design studies

2. 2023 - 2024

Public procurement;
permitting procedures

3. 2024 - 2025

Construction and commissioning of first phase

4. 2026 - 2035

Construction and commissioning of following project phases

Contact for public consultations

ZSE Energia, a.s.
Čulenova 6
81647 Bratislava
Slovakia
info@elsea.sk