Major Battery Storage Initiative by Rolls-Royce to Boost Zeewolde Wind Farm by 2025
by Sophie Jenkins
London, UK (SPX) Jul 16, 2024

Rolls-Royce has secured an order from Battery Park Zeewolde (BPZ) to deliver a substantial battery storage system with an output of 32.6 Megawatts and a storage capacity of 65.2 Megawatt hours to Zeewolde in the Netherlands. The mtu EnergyPack QG system is scheduled to become operational by summer 2025. The contract also includes a ten-year Long Term Service Agreement, which provides extensive guarantees for the system's capacity throughout the term.

The battery solution will assist in energy trading and grid services markets, enhancing the stability of the Dutch electricity grid. Located adjacent to the Zeewolde wind farm substation, the battery systems will store excess energy generated during strong winds, preventing grid overload. This stored energy can then be supplied back to the grid during periods of low wind.

"With the batteries, we are going to be supporting the grid in improving security of supply and reducing grid congestion - so we can use our electricity much more intelligently," said Sjoerd Sieburgh, Director of Windpark Zeewolde. "We have found a competent partner for this in Rolls-Royce Power Systems."

BPZ's battery storage park is one of two planned projects around the substation. The second project, BES Vogelweg Zeewolde BV, is currently seeking final investment and aims to expand the battery capacity by an additional 140 MWh. Additionally, a hydrogen plant is in the approval process to produce green hydrogen for local industry.

Once completed, the battery park will span approximately 2000 square meters, making it one of the largest battery projects in the Netherlands. The annual energy storage is equivalent to the average electricity consumption of around 12,000 households, marking a significant step towards sustainable energy.

Battery energy storage systems are a key contributor in the energy transition," said Andreas Gortz, President of Sustainable Power Solutions at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. "They are a central component of our strategic business areas - enabling us to sustainably and reliably strengthen energy security worldwide."

The project also engages the local community through co-ownership of the wind and battery farms, involving over 200 farmers, residents, and entrepreneurs, forming the largest farmer/citizen wind collective in Europe. Rolls-Royce collaborates with two other companies on the BESS project: Equans, an Austrian plant and energy service provider, handles electrical work, while civil engineering is managed by Van Boekel, a construction company.

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