Axpo and CKW expanding battery storage business

06.06.2019 - Together Axpo Grids and CKW offer comprehensive large-scale battery solutions including planning, installation and energy market integration. A battery storage system with a capacity of 2 MW will now be realised at Elektrizitätswerk Jona-Rapperswil AG (EWJR) in cooperation with Axpo Grids and CKW. The installation will contribute to grid stability.

Power grid fluctuations are on the rise with the increase of volatile renewable energies. More control energy is needed to balance out grid instabilities. Battery storage systems are one way to provide this control energy. Battery storage systems are advantageous in that they can store surplus energy in a matter of seconds and make it available as needed. With the expansion of renewable energies, they contribute to grid stability.

Together with its subsidiary CKW, Axpo offers complete battery storage solutions for energy suppliers and industrial companies. With Elektrizitätswerk Jona-Rapperswil AG as their first joint customer, an important step has been achieved in expanding this new business field. Axpo Grids has concluded a 10-year contract for regular maintenance and on-call service. The subsidiary CKW will take over management of the battery storage system in collaboration with SN Energie AG and ensure connection to the energy and control energy markets.

Twice the know-how

The customer benefits financially from profitable integration into energy trading markets and connection to the CKW control pool that comprises production facilities, consumers and other decentralised storage systems. Thanks to the optimisation algorithm developed by CKW, the battery is maintained at an optimal charge level and can be used simultaneously as needed to balance out load peaks. The combined know-how reduces costs and optimises security of supply, which is in turn advantageous for the end customer.

Axpo's and CKW's comprehensive offering including permits, maintenance, guarantees and connection to the energy and control energy markets fully convinced the customer: Michael Bätscher, CEO of EWJR: "With Axpo Grids and CKW as the service provider we benefit from broad, sound know-how in the area of renewable energies and power trading."

The battery storage system will be delivered in Jona today. The battery storage system consists of two containers, each 12 metres long, and with a total weight of 67 tonnes. Axpo Grids and CKW are planning to launch more battery storage projects, in and outside Switzerland.