Photo: NGEN
Poland got its second utility-scale battery storage installation, as NGEN built a 9.4 MW facility in the country’s northwest. Project Vistula features five Tesla Megapack 2XL units. The Slovenian technology company is expanding throughout Europe.
In addition to starting works on Austria’s largest battery energy storage system, NGEN announced that it commissioned a facility in Łozienica in Poland’s West Pomerania. The BESS has 9.4 MW in operating power and 18.8 MWh in capacity.
Known as Project Vistula, it is the second utility-scale battery storage installation in Poland and the first one connected directly to the distribution network operator’s grid. The system consists of five Tesla Megapack 2XL battery units. It is the first deployment of the technology on the Polish market.
Grid-connected storage pilot for Polish market
Project Vistula was developed as a pilot to demonstrate how large-scale battery storage systems can be integrated into the Polish electricity system and market structures. While battery storage technology is rapidly expanding across Europe, integration with national grid infrastructure and electricity markets remains one of the main barriers in emerging storage markets, the Slovenia-based company pointed out.
The endeavor focused on enabling:
- technical integration with the distribution grid,
- real-time communication and control of the storage asset,
- operational management of the battery system,
- electricity market participation and settlement processes, and
- regulatory and distribution agreements.
The project in northwestern Poland serves as an important operational and market integration milestone for NGEN, according to the update. It is also providing valuable experience to the involved grid operators and contractors, the company added.
Market participation, operational strategy
The battery system is designed to participate in multiple electricity market services.
In its initial operational phase, the focus is on price arbitrage on the day-ahead and intraday electricity markets.
Future operational phases will include participation in ancillary and balancing services, including:
- frequency containment reserve (FCR),
- automatic frequency restoration reserve (aFRR),
- manual frequency restoration reserve (mFRR).
In the longer term, the system is also expected to support flexibility services for the grid, contributing to improved grid stability and integration of renewable energy sources, according to NGEN.
Integration with NGEN’s energy management platform
The BESS installation is integrated with NGEN’s digital operating platform, combining SCADA monitoring with ESGP – NGEN’s high-level energy management system.
The platform enables real-time monitoring and control of the battery asset, automated optimization of battery dispatch based on market signals, and coordination between storage operation and grid requirements.
It allows the battery to operate as an active grid asset, responding dynamically to both market conditions and system needs.
ESGP, Energy Smart Grid Platform, is driven by artificial intelligence. SCADA stands for supervisory control and data acquisition.
Vertically integrated project development
Unlike many storage projects where different entities are responsible for development, investment and operation, NGEN acts as the investor, owner and operator of the installation. The company explained that the vertically integrated approach allows it to combine technology deployment, operational optimization and market participation within a single framework.
The project scope includes:
- Tesla Megapack battery units,
- transformers and power conversion infrastructure,
- medium- and low-voltage distribution systems,
- a 15kV grid connection to the distribution network operator,
- communication and telecommunication infrastructure,
- monitoring and CCTV systems.
Technical challenges and project implementation
One of the key technical challenges was integrating the battery storage asset with the grid environment and ensuring reliable communication and control between systems.
Additional work is ongoing to enable the system to participate fully in balancing services, which would be the next operational phase.
The project required close coordination between multiple stakeholders, including engineers, grid operators, subcontractors and technology providers, the company’s representatives recalled.
Expansion plans in Poland
Following the commissioning of Project Vistula, NGEN announced it would expand its activities in the Polish energy market.
The company is developing projects across several segments, including utility-scale battery storage, commercial and industrial energy solutions, and residential energy systems.
NGEN is planning up to 1 GW of energy storage in the country
In the long term, NGEN aims to develop and operate up to 1 GW of energy storage in Poland, supporting the country’s transition toward a more flexible and resilient electricity system.
NGEN specializes in advanced energy management, battery storage systems and smart grid integration. It combines energy storage technology, proprietary energy management platforms and market operation expertise to optimize energy flows across electricity networks and energy markets.
The company is expanding its activities across Europe, with a focus on utility-scale battery storage, commercial and industrial energy solutions, and smart energy systems for households.
EBRD willing to provide EUR 70 million to NGEN for battery storage investments in four countries
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development recently passed the final review of five NGEN’s projects for standalone BESS. They total 302 MW in capability, with 635 MWh in overall storage.
Costing an overall EUR 163 million, the endeavor would involve a EUR 70 million loan from the EBRD, which is awaiting approval from the lender’s board. The sites are in Slovenia, Poland, Latvia and Romania. NGEN’s investment would involve development, construction and operation, the update reveals.
The bank pointed out that it is one of the first multi-country, merchant-based storage portfolios in the region. It includes projects of 70 MW and 140 MWh in Slovenia, and 100 MW and 215 MWh in Latvia.
Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer Roman Bernard has revealed that NGEN plans to reach 1.1 GWh this year.
The company is in the technology sponsors roster of the upcoming Belgrade Energy Forum, BEF 2026, in Serbia’s capital city. Balkan Green Energy News organizes the two-day event, which is starting on May 11.
Be the first one to comment on this article.