German energy storage field policy research and design plan

Why should Germany use energy storage systems?

Germany is under increasing pressure to rapidly decarbonize its electricity system, while ensuring a secure and affordable electricity supply. In this context, energy storage systems (ESSs) can play a crucial role in enabling a high share of variable renewable electricity generation.

Should energy storage systems be included in Germany's power plant strategy?

The power plant strategy for hydrogen-capable power plants recently presented by the German government also emphasises that storage systems should be included. Exemption from grid charges The BMWK's comments express sympathy for the continuation of the current grid fee exemptions for energy storage systems.

How big is Germany's large-scale electricity storage?

7 Jump-start the expansion of large-scale storage in optimal locations. Considering the extent of variable renewables generation in Germany’s electricity system, which already exceeded 60% in 2024 and is planned to be 80% in 2030, the country has relatively low levels of large-scale electricity storage (1.7 GW with 2.2 GWh in January 2025).

How many electricity storage facilities are there in Germany?

In principle, the number of electricity storage facil-ities, their installed power and storage capacities are recorded in the Core Energy Market Data Reg-ister kept by the Bundesnetzagentur. In Germany, there are currently some 30 pumped storage plants with a combined capacity of approx. 24 GWh and a total power of approx. 6 GW.

What is the electricity storage strategy?

The main goal of the implementation of the Electric-ity Storage Strategy’s measures is to optimise the environment in a way that perpetuates the dynamic expansion of electricity storage seen today and to ensure that electricity storage and its multiple func-tions can be used optimally by both the market and the grid.

Can pumped hydro storage be a key component of Germany's electricity system?

The study by Keles and Yilmaz , for instance, considers only the option of pumped hydro storage (PHS), as it is already a key component of the German electricity system. Others consider multiple technology options, with Bartholdsen et al. , for instance, considering also lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen storage (via power-to-gas).