Crottendorf: Large-scale battery storage facility ready for construction

Big Battery Deutschland (BBD), a developer of large-scale battery storage systems, is bringing a new project in Saxony to construction maturity. Battery storage systems are regarded as key components of the energy transition. They make it possible to temporarily store surpluses from renewable sources such as wind and solar power and feed them back into the grid when needed. In this way, they stabilize the electricity grid, increase security of supply and enable the efficient use of renewable energies. Their added value is based on the provision of flexibility services in the electricity market, the balancing of supply and demand in real time and the trading of electricity. Fraunhofer ISE forecasts a stationary storage requirement of around 100 GWh by 2030 - a multiple of the current available capacities.

Crottendorf shows how such projects are implemented in practice. The storage facility is connected directly to the Crottendorf substation and has switchable transformers, a special feature that is tailored to the requirements of the local grid operator. This means that the electricity grid can also be used flexibly in the event of future voltage changes.

Hendrik Büchner, Managing Director of BBD BigBattery Deutschland GmbH, emphasizes: "We are delighted to be implementing this project so closely and pragmatically with the municipality of Crottendorf. There is a lot of discussion on the market about battery storage in Germany. With Crottendorf, we are showing how pragmatism, trust and openness can be used to find solutions that satisfy everyone."

Sebastian Martin, Mayor of Crottendorf, emphasizes: "For our municipality, the project with BBD shows how battery storage systems enable the integration of renewable energy locally. We benefit not only from additional income, but also from the new development of commercial space. In this way, we are directly linking the energy transition with local development." In addition to the regular trade tax revenue generated by the large-scale battery storage facility, the proceeds from the sale of the site and the funds for the planned road will enable the development of further commercial and industrial areas, which should attract additional businesses in the long term.

Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbH (WFS) established contact with the municipality and the mayor at an early stage and actively supported the approval processes so that the project could get off the ground quickly. Thomas Horn, Managing Director of WFS, adds: "We are delighted that we were able to support BBD, a company that is investing in a technology of the future with its large-scale battery storage facility. This large-scale storage system is an important building block for ensuring security of supply in the energy grid in view of the volatility of renewable energy sources. We were able to support the company in its search for a location throughout Saxony, in handling administrative procedures and in networking with local stakeholders. It's great that BBD ultimately chose this location here in the Ore Mountains."

In the past six months, BBD has already brought three large-scale storage projects in Germany to construction maturity. The company is being supported in the development by its shareholders terralayr Germany GmbH & Co. KG and Averdung Ingenieure & Berater GmbH. terralayr will be responsible for the construction and subsequent operation of the storage facility. Valerie Mahar, VP Asset Development at terralayr, says: "The storage project in Crottendorf complements our growing portfolio of energy storage facilities. Together with BBD, we are focusing on an intensive exchange with the local communities during development and are committed to long-term involvement, high-quality implementation and projects that drive forward the energy transition and keep the power grid flexible and stable."