The Central German region in the Leipzig lowland plain has a long tradition in energy production. In addition to lignite, in particular sun and wind are used to generate electricity. However, the existing power lines are already heavily used today and will be even more so in the future. Upside developed the Langenreichenbach project during 2017 in the 20kV distribution grid of a 110kV substation of the distribution grid operator MitNetz in the district of Mockrehna (Saxony). The open space created by the dismantling of an old switch house in 2015/16 was used to integrate the battery into the medium voltage of the transformer station via two separate grid connection points so that it is ready for operation 24/7. The connection, at the heart of the distribution network as it were, enables not only integration into the standard service network for the power output of the PRL, but also the direct provision of further network services. The Langenreichenbach battery energy storage system thus contributes to grid relief in the entire region.

With the frequency-controlled power output of the PRL, it is important to follow the fluctuating frequency to the second. The Langenreichenbach battery system does this in two medium-voltage rings at two separate network connection points in parallel and independently in 9 inverters with 1.8MVA each, each equipped with its own frequency control. The plant has been fully operational since July 2018 and is currently prequalified for the provision of primary control power (PRL). After completion of the prequalification phase, the large storage facility will be operated in an SPV founded by the Upside Group and the cell supplier Narada.

After evaluating various storage technologies, the Langenreichenbach battery energy storage system relies on proven technologies from renowned manufacturers. The power electronics and the converters come from Siemens and SMA, the world market leader in the field of solar inverters. The battery cells used are lead-carbon dry accumulators in which the electrolyte is bound in a fleece of glass fibre. Connected to a firmly welded ABS plastic housing with outgassing valve, the battery cells can therefore be installed horizontally and even flooded without any substances escaping. The oversizing of the electrical and chemical components typical of Upside Group projects and the low fire load inherent in the technology make the Langenreichenbach battery energy storage one of the safest and most reliable systems worldwide. Apart from this, it is one of the largest battery storage system installed in Europe.

The Central German region in the Leipzig area is traditionally known for its energy production. In addition to lignite, sun and wind, but also biomass, are used to generate electricity. This means, however, that the existing power lines are already heavily used, so that two 380 kV extra-high voltage lines are currently being planned/built here. Upside developed the Bennewitz project in 2017/18 in the 20kV distribution network of the network operator MitNetz in the district of Leipzig in the direct vicinity of generation and industry. The open space created by the dismantling of an old transformer station building on the substation station site was used to install the battery storage in the immediate vicinity and integrate it into the medium voltage of the transformer station so that it is ready for operation 24/7, 365 days a year. The connection, quasi at the heart of the distribution network, enables not only the integration into the control power network for the output of the PRL, but also the direct provision of further network services. In this way, the Bennewitz battery storage facility contributes to grid relief in the entire region.

With the frequency-controlled power output of the PRL, it is important to follow the fluctuating frequency to the second. This is done by the Bennewitz energy storage system using 9 SMA 1.8MVA inverters, each equipped with its own frequency control. Since November 2018, the plant has been fully functional and was subsequently prequalified for the provision of primary control power (PRL). Since January 2019 the large battery storage is operated in an SPV founded by Upside Group and increases the battery storage portfolio built and managed by Upside to more than 40MW.

After evaluating various storage technologies, the Bennewitz energy storage system relies on proven technologies from renowned manufacturers. The power electronics and the inverters come from Siemens and SMA, the world market leaders in the field of solar inverters. The battery cells used are lead-carbon dry accumulators in which the electrolyte is bound in a glass fiber nonwoven. Combined with a firmly welded ABS plastic housing with an outgassing valve, the battery cells can therefore be installed horizontally and could even be flooded without any substances escaping. The typical oversizing of the electrical and chemical components in Upside Group projects and the low fire load inherent in the technology make the Bennewitz energy storage system, like its predecessor in Langenreichenbach, one of the safest and most reliable systems in the world. Apart from that, it is also one of the largest battery storage facilities installed in Europe.

In immediate vicinity of the Lippendorf power plant, which has been supplying people in the region with electricity and heat since 1926, Upside Group has built its next battery storage system. This means that the latest storage and control technology now stands alongside a traditional producer. With the implementation of the planned power plant deconstruction, a further expansion of renewables such as solar energy and wind energy will become even more important. The region already needs efficient frequency control due to fluctuating electricity volumes. Since this necessity will be even more important in the future, Upside Group together with the distribution network operator Mitnetz has decided to install a further Upside storage system here. In this project, too, the greatest possible proximity to a central network connection point was set. For this reason, the battery is located on an open area directly on the site of the Groitzsch substation, which was created by the dismantling of outdated operating rooms. The substation currently supplies 25,000 people, so that since September 2019 the directly connected battery system has been providing primary control power and other grid services to ensure energy security for people throughout the region. Around the clock, 365 days a year.

Due to the frequency-driven power provision in the PRL, it is important to follow the fluctuating frequency to the second. The Groitzsch battery storage unit handles this with 9 inverters of 1.8MVA each, each equipped with its own frequency control. The system has been fully functional since August 2019 and has subsequently been successfully prequalified for the provision of primary control power. Since September 2019, the large storage facility has been operated in an SPV founded by Upside Group and increases the battery storage portfolio built and managed by Upside to over 56 MW.

The Groitzsch battery system, like the identical storage facilities in Langenreichenbach and Bennewitz, relies on proven technologies from renowned manufacturers. The power electronics and the inverters come from Siemens and SMA, the world market leader in the field of solar inverters. The battery cells manufactured by Narada Power Source are lead-carbon dry accumulators in which the electrolyte is bound in a glass fiber fleece. Combined with a tightly welded ABS plastic housing with an outgassing valve, the battery cells can therefore be installed horizontally and could even be flooded without any substances escaping. As in all Upside projects, special attention was paid during construction to ensure sufficient reserves of electrical and chemical components. In conjunction with the low fire load inherent in the cell technology, the Groitzsch battery storage system is one of the safest and most reliable storage projects in the world, just like its predecessors in Langenreichenbach and Bennewitz. Apart from that, it is also one of the largest battery systems installed in Europe.

The former military airbase Alt Daber in northwestern Brandenburg was converted for new utilization in 2011. On an area of around 147 ha one of Germany’s largest solar parks was built with a power of 67.8 MWp. During the construction of the energy storage system, a concept for hybrid utilization was implemented, making it one of the most innovative projects in Germany that has ever been realized. This type of hybrid application drawn from wind or photovoltaic energy combined with mass energy storage can be deployed both in weak grid areas as well as provide ancillary services for grid stabilization.

The energy storage Alt Daber is designed using a hybrid controller for hybrid applications with renewable power plants, so that it can also be used in weak grid areas as well as alternatively in order to compensate for fluctuations in the volatile energy supply of a neighboring wind or solar plant. Currently the application is focused on the provision of ancillary services as part of the marketing of primary control power.

The energy storage system Alt Daber is based on a holistic systemic approach of an "Energy Buffer Unit". The lead-acid battery cells, which have been adjusted to be utilized in mass storage systems are the backbone of the robust system architecture. All system components are designed for permanent use in wind or solar power plants as well as the provision of ancillary services. The container design allows for quick and easy installation even in areas with poor infrastructure.