Turkey seeks to integrate energy storage into planned solar projects

The Turkish energy ministry has hired DNV GL, a Norway-based global quality assurance and risk management firm, to conduct a feasibility study on combined solar and energy storage solutions, seeking to determine whether the integration of energy storage in the future solar auctions has the potential to further cut energy costs, news agencies have reported, citing a press release from DNV GL.

Over the next three months, DNV GL will analyze energy storage technology worldwide to identify specific prequalification and technical specification requirements that can lead to a lower Levelized Energy Cost (LEC) from solar power in Turkey, according to the press release.

“Turkey is taking an exemplary step by considering storage solutions in their auction system. With their experience from the past wind and solar auctions, the time is right to identify a holistic renewable energy approach,” said Andreas Schröter, Executive Vice President Central Europe and Mediterranean at DNV GL.

In late February, Turkish energy minister Berat Albayrak said the country was preparing to invite bids for two new solar and wind power projects, each with a capacity of 1 GW, according to a report at the time by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency (AA).

Turkey’s strategic target for the production of energy from renewable sources is 30% by 2030, and with these two new projects it aims to reach 5 GW of installed solar capacity by 2023, according to DNV GL’s press release.

DNV GL delivers testing and advisory services to the energy value chain, including renewables and energy efficiency, with its expertise spanning onshore and offshore wind power, solar power, conventional generation, transmission and distribution, smart grids, and sustainable energy use, as well as energy markets and regulations, according to the company’s website.