The largest battery energy storage system operating on Finnish electricity markets, delivered by Merus Power, has been completed and is now in market use.
Is this Finland's largest battery energy storage system?
Swedish flexible assets developer and optimizer Ingrid Capacity has joined hands with SEB Nordic Energy's portfolio company Locus Energy to develop what is claimed to be Finland's largest and one of the Nordics' largest battery energy storage systems (BESS). The 70 MW/140 MWh BESS project will be located in Nivala, northern Finland.
Reserve markets are currently driving the demand for energy storage systems. Legislative changes have improved prospects for some energy storages. Mainly battery storage and thermal energy storages have been deployed so far. The share of renewable energy sources is growing rapidly in Finland.
Is energy storage the future of wind power generation in Finland?
Wind power generation is estimated to grow substantially in the future in Finland. Energy storage may provide the flexibility needed in the energy transition. Reserve markets are currently driving the demand for energy storage systems. Legislative changes have improved prospects for some energy storages.
However, the energy system is still producing electricity to the national grid and DH to the Lempäälä area, while the BESSs participate in Fingrid's market for balancing the grid . Like the energy storage market, legislation related to energy storage is still developing in Finland.
Which energy storage technologies are being commissioned in Finland?
Currently, utility-scale energy storage technologies that have been commissioned in Finland are limited to BESS (lithium-ion batteries) and TES, mainly TTES and Cavern Thermal Energy Storages (CTES) connected to DH systems.
Are energy storage systems a solution to Finland's energy transition?
Energy storage systems offer a solution. “This groundbreaking is an important moment for Finland's energy transition and a concrete step toward a more flexible, resilient, and decarbonized energy system,” said Jussi Jyrinsalo, Senior Vice President at Fingrid.