EnBW provides grid stability
Marbach am Neckar, Germany. An important milestone in securing the nationwide power supply has been reached. EnBW AG today officially inaugurated the new grid stabilization power plant at the Marbach power plant site with its client, the transmission system operator TransnetBW.
The 300 megawatt gas turbine power plant is a so-called “special technical equipment for grids” and operates only when needed – being able to deliver power in under 30 minutes upon request from the transmission system operator. It is therefore not used to generate electricity for general market needs and serves exclusively to ensure continual grid stability.
"The plant in Marbach is necessary for making sure that the transformation of our energy system toward a climate-friendly energy supply can succeed while at the same time guaranteeing security of supply," explained Michael Class, Head of Generation at EnBW on the occasion of the handover. "It has not been built with the intention of replacing any power plant capacity that may fail or influencing the energy market in any way. It will be used in situations where facilities such as transformers, substations or sections of the grid fail within the transmission grid, leaving the power grid in a critical condition. In such a scenario, the power plant can restore grid stability in the short term," Class continued.
The Marbach grid stabilization power plant started full operation at the end of September 2024 and was officially inaugurated today.
Suitable location
The decision to locate the power plant in Marbach was made on the basis of the existing infrastructure, the available space and economic considerations. "Today we are inaugurating a power plant that will help TransnetBW to keep the power grid safe and stable. It will also support the transformation of our electricity system as we move toward more renewable energy in the power grid," said Tobias Egeler, Head of Grid Management and Digitalization at TransnetBW.
The new plant was built following a decision by the Federal Network Agency in 2018 and is intended to ensure grid stability in southern Germany. So-called "special technical equipment for grids" of the kind located in Marbach is not allowed to participate in the regular electricity market when being operated. These plants are used solely at the request of the transmission system operators and in crisis situations – such as when equipment fails in the transmission grid - to maintain grid and system security. They are available much more quickly than the existing grid reserve – which is usually made up of older systems.
Large-scale battery storage system planned
EnBW is also planning to install a large-scale battery storage system on the same power plant site. With a capacity of 100 megawatt-hours, this will be the largest storage system of its kind in EnBW's generation portfolio. The large-scale battery storage system uses the existing on-site infrastructure together with the grid stabilization power plant, including the grid connection. This will generate synergies within the project. It is due to be commissioned by the end of 2025.
Further information about the grid stabilization power plant