RWE has started construction of a 7.5 MW ultra-fast battery energy storage system (BESS) at its Moerdijk power plant in the Netherlands. With a storage capacity of 11 MWh, the system aims to enhance grid stability by quickly providing or absorbing electricity within milliseconds.
The Moerdijk BESS is a key part of the system integration solutions for OranjeWind, an offshore wind project in collaboration with TotalEnergies. The project will help integrate renewable energy into the Dutch grid through advanced technologies like electrolysers, smart EV charging stations, e-boilers, and battery storage.
The BESS will use lithium iron phosphate batteries housed in three containers, connected to the high-voltage grid via an existing connection. It features grid-forming functionality, which allows it to take on roles typically performed by conventional power plants, ensuring a stable electricity supply.
The system is expected to be operational by the end of 2024, with a two-year pilot phase to refine its grid-forming capabilities in partnership with transmission system operator TenneT.