Electricity

Croatian startup to build largest battery system in Southeastern Europe

IE Energy largest battery system Southeastern Europe

Photo: iStock

Published

September 15, 2022

Country

Comments

1

Share

Published:

September 15, 2022

Country:

Comments:

1

Share

Croatia got the green light from Brussels to give a EUR 19.8 million grant to a domestic startup for a massive energy storage project. IE-Energy is planning to build a battery system of 50 MW, which means it would be the biggest in Southeastern Europe.

The European Commission has approved, under the European Union’s aid rules, a EUR 19.8 million Croatian aid measure in favor of energy storage operator IE-Energy.

The package is aimed at helping the firm partially finance the procurement and installation of grid-scale batteries to provide transmission system operators (TSOs) with balancing services. TSOs use grid-scale batteries to maintain a continuous balance between electricity supply from power stations and demand from consumers and to store electricity when needed.

The aid is necessary and appropriate to address an existing market failure, the EU’s top regulator concluded

The aid will take the form of a direct grant and will cover approximately 30% of capital expenditures. The commission concluded that the aid is necessary and appropriate to address an existing market failure, as there is a lack of incentives to provide balancing services to TSOs through grid-scale energy storage facilities.

Furthermore, the measure contributes to the modernization of Croatia’s energy network, as well as increases in the country’s and the EU’s energy security of supply, the 27-member bloc’s executive arm said. In addition, it will accelerate the decarbonization of the Croatian energy sector, according to the announcement.

Batteries are for balancing services for HOPS

IE-Energy is based in Rijeka, Croatia’s fourth-largest city. It joined the intraday and day-ahead markets at the Croatian Power Exchange (CROPEX) last year. Documents reveal the project is scheduled to start on December 1.

The firm intends to build the battery system near Šibenik in Dalmatia. It would have 10 MW in operating power and the capacity of 22 MWh in the first phase, scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of next year.

Moreover, IE-Energy said it would boost the system to 50 MW and 110 MWh by 2024. There is no storage facility in Southeastern Europe yet with such a capacity. Of note, a 250 MW project is under development in Turkey, with an envisaged capacity of 1 GWh.

The batteries would be used for balancing services for the independent Transmission System Operator in Croatia (HOPS), domestic media reported.

The European Union’s documentation shows the project is scheduled to start at the beginning of December.

IE-Energy is developing virtual power plant

The startup’s core activity is the development of a flexible and decentralized power provider – virtual power plant or aggregator – to allow small and medium-sized power producers (prosumers) and consumers to participate directly in the energy market.

Aggregators have an important role in the integration of renewable energy sources, as power supply from wind and solar parks is unstable due to changes in the weather

Operators of such cloud-based systems unify available electricity sources so they can jointly increase output when the transmission system lacks power. Aggregators have an important role in the integration of renewable energy sources, as power supply from wind and solar parks is unstable due to changes in the weather.

Virtual power plants can also coordinate a decrease in consumption, for example in factories and shopping malls, or facilitate a boost in consumption in the case of a jump in electricity production, mostly when an unexpected burst of wind or sunshine boosts the level of renewable energy in the grid.

Comments (1)
Angel moreno / February 4, 2024

Subject: Inquiry About Your Energy Solutions: Magnetic Energy?

Dear IE energy

I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across your company and am intrigued by the innovative energy solutions you offer. I’m particularly interested in understanding whether your energy solutions are based on magnetism, and if so, how they function.

Could you please provide me with more information on the following:
1. Does your energy solution incorporate magnetic energy?
2. How does this technology work, and what are its key benefits?
3. Are there investment opportunities or options to purchase this energy for commercial or personal use?

I believe in supporting sustainable and innovative energy initiatives, and your company seems to align with these values. Any detailed information or resources you could share would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response and learning more about your energy solutions.

Best regards,

Angel Moreno

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

Croatian Chamber of Economy lex specialis for renewables position paper

Croatian Chamber of Economy asks for lex specialis for renewable energy sector

28 March 2024 - The Association for Renewable Energy Sources produced a position paper identifying obstacles and possible solutions

romania delgaz hydrogen 20HyGrid

Romania successfully tests blending hydrogen in natural gas distribution grid, households

28 March 2024 - E.ON Romania declared success in its test of blending hydrogen into the gas network and using the mixture in households.

IRENA-Global-solar-power-capacity-surpasses-hydropower-in-2023

IRENA: Global solar power capacity surpasses hydropower in 2023

28 March 2024 - The world's renewable electricity capacity additions in 2023 hit a record 473 GW, dominated by China. Solar power became the largest segment in total.

aleksander mervar eles krsko solar slovenija

Mervar: Electricity from Krško 2 nuclear project won’t be cheaper then EUR 125 per MWh

27 March 2024 - CEO of Slovenia's TSO ELES Aleksander Mervar said gas power plants need to be built to prevent the need for large electricity imports