Press release
Corporate Press
July 8, 2013

Continuous test operation begins at large-format energy storage system LESSY

  • The LESSY concept could close the gap between the supply of and demand for electrical energy
  • Future contribution to the energy revolution

Evonik Industries, STEAG, and other project partners today put a lithium electricity storage system (LESSY) into operation at STEAG's Fenne power plant in Völklingen, Saarland. The research project is a collaborative venture between Evonik, STEAG Power Saar GmbH, Li-Tec Battery GmbH, Digatron Industrie-Elektronik GmbH, the EWE Next Energy and Power Engineering Saar institutes, and the University of Munster. The large-format energy storage system was developed under a research initiative sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

"Storage systems like LESSY are designed to help close the gap between the supply of and demand for electrical energy that is starting to emerge in the field of renewable energy in particular," said Professor Stefan Buchholz, Head of Evonik’s strategic innovation unit Creavis, in Völklingen. "In this way, they could contribute to the energy revolution in Germany."

Peter Nützl, director of STEAG Technischer Service GmbH, explained: "The energy revolution in Germany is a highly complex, difficult project that can only be successfully implemented with a whole range of different measures. We need creative concepts like LESSY to cope with these huge challenges."

LESSY is based on the lithium-ion battery technology that Evonik developed specially for electro mobility. The system is designed to accommodate 4,700 lithium-ion battery cells with a storage capacity of around 700 kilowatt hours and an output of around 1 megawatt.

LESSY functions by creating a buffer when more energy is generated than consumed. The storage system, which is housed in a sea container, can thus help to stabilize the grid. The ramp-up of test operations now underway will show whether lithium-ion storage systems can reliably fulfill this function.

Information about Evonik

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. Profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms.

Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2012 more than 33,000 employees generated sales of around €13.6 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about €2.6 billion.

Information about STEAG

STEAG has been active in energy generation for 75 years and offers its customers integrated solutions in the fields of power and heat generation and in technical services, also internationally. Its core competencies include planning, implementation and operation of both large power plants and distributed energy facilities, along with asset-based power trading. The Group’s capacity is based on both fossil and—for more than a decade now—renewable sources of energy.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.