Large-scale battery storage ventures led by VERBUND and Fluence officially commence in Germany.
VERBUND and Fluence Launch Large-Scale Battery Storage Projects in Germany
In a significant move towards a secure and affordable energy system, VERBUND and Fluence have announced the launch of large-scale battery storage projects in Germany. The partnership is another step in Germany's energy transition, with both companies working together to tackle the challenges of the transition.
The projects, located in Weißenthurm-Kettig, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Elsterberg-Coschütz, Saxony, will have a combined output of over 92 MW and a storage capacity of 186 MWh. The first project, in Weißenthurm-Kettig, will have a capacity of 50 MW and a storage capacity of 100 MWh, while the system in Elsterberg-Coschütz will have a capacity of 42.9 MW / 86.5 MWh.
VERBUND, a significant player in the German battery storage market, is focusing on the operation of the facilities and the marketing of battery storage. The company uses specially developed trading algorithms for the intelligent placement of battery storage offers, considering opportunities across all markets. This approach allows VERBUND to optimally utilize storage resources and contribute to a stable electricity grid.
Fluence, a market leader in Germany, supports customers in accelerating and de-risking their storage projects by understanding applicable regulations. The company was selected due to its vast and global experience in large-scale battery storage, in-depth knowledge of the regulatory landscape, and specific requirements in Germany.
Karl Potz, Head of Battery Storage Systems at VERBUND, emphasizes the importance of reliable partners like VERBUND and Fluence for the successful development and implementation of energy storage projects. He adds that these projects bring VERBUND considerably closer to its goal of installing around 1 GW of storage capacity by 2030.
The battery storage systems are designed to meet critical requirements of the electricity grid while adhering to stringent noise protection regulations. Fluence showcased advanced noise protection features, including the submission of a comprehensive noise report, and robust cybersecurity measures that align with stringent system security standards.
As of mid-2025, large-scale battery storage projects in Germany are regulated under a framework where battery energy storage systems (BESS) can be charged grid construction fees (Baukostenzuschuss, BKZ) by grid operators to cover infrastructure expansion costs. This regulatory clarity was confirmed by a key ruling from the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) in July 2025.
The German battery sector has urged the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) to extend the current exemption from grid fees for all storage systems until 2034 to avoid disrupting investment incentives and the deployment pace of BESS, given that the existing exemption is slated to expire for new installations by the end of 2028. The BGH ruling emphasizes transparency and non-discrimination in BKZ charging but acknowledges that battery storage interacts differently with the grid than traditional consumers, which may justify differentiated fee application.
By mid-2025, Germany has over two million battery storage systems installed with a total gross power capacity of 14.535 GW and a usable capacity of about 22.1 GWh. Of these, large battery storage systems (above 1 MW) number around 323 installations, collectively providing approximately 2.35 GW of power and nearly 2.9 GWh of storage capacity. In the first half of 2025 alone, over 250,000 new battery systems began operation, adding about 2 GW of power and 3.55 GWh of capacity, including 73 new large-scale facilities contributing 509.5 MW and 690 MWh, indicating ongoing strong market growth.
Industry participants like Voltwise have been prominent in policy advocacy and operation in Germany's market landscape. The large-scale projects are often operated by a mix of utilities, commercial investors, and renewable energy companies focusing on grid support and renewable integration.
This shows Germany's battery storage market is rapidly growing with clarified regulatory conditions that balance cost recovery for grid operators and market expansion considerations supporting energy transition goals. The partnership between VERBUND and Fluence is a significant step in this direction, contributing to a more secure and affordable energy system in Germany.
- The renewable energy industry is witnessing significant developments in Germany, as evidenced by the partnership between VERBUND and Fluence, focusing on large-scale battery storage projects, particularly in data-and-cloud-computing and technology-driven approaches for a stable electricity grid.
- In the realm of finance, VERBUND's strategy for the operation of these facilities and the marketing of battery storage involves using specially developed trading algorithms, aiming to optimize the utilization of storage resources and ensure a secure and affordable energy system.
- Moreover, both companies are emphasizing the importance of adherence to stringent regulations, such as those surrounding noise protection and cybersecurity, which are crucial aspects of the renewable-energy industry's growth and advancing Germany's transition to a secure and affordable energy system.
