Sun, wind and a battery storage system – groundbreaking ceremony at Gundelsheim Energy Park

Karlsruhe / Gundelsheim. In the town of Gundelsheim, located in the district of Heilbronn, the groundbreaking ceremony for a pioneering energy project was held on 5 July 2024. Upon completion, Gundelsheim Energy Park will generate electricity from both solar and wind energy and feature a battery storage system. This is made possible by the site’s special location. The different technologies complement one another: If the sun is shining, it is generally less windy, but if it is cloudy, the wind often blows. The battery storage system means that the electricity can also be used regardless of when it was generated. Work on the solar park has now begun. The groundbreaking ceremony for it was attended by a group representing local citizens. Gundelsheim’s Mayor Heike Schokatz was among those present.

With approximately 110,000 solar modules, the solar park will have an installed output of 60.5 megawatts and produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of around 23,900 households. It is due to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2025 and extends over a project area of 64 hectares, with about 55 hectares serving as a solar area. The other areas include biotope zones, such as a pond and woody structures, as well as paths that function as wildlife crossings. Project manager Stefan Wresch from EnBW explained: “Many process-related aspects had to be taken into account when planning the solar park. Environmental associations were heavily involved in it all.” He emphasized the good working relationship with the city and Heilbronn District Office. “The project is challenging from a planning perspective, but the authorities have handled it with a great deal of expertise and a high degree of commitment. EnBW’s technical project manager Stefan Lederer added: “From a technical point of view, soil stabilization measures were necessary, along with the use of new technologies. We mastered all of this, thanks to the highly constructive approach adopted by everyone involved.”

Gundelsheim’s Mayor Heike Schokatz said: “This groundbreaking ceremony marks an important step for the energy park project – and for the development of sustainable energy generation in our region. Our city provides the ideal location for the project: The site is large and suitable for both solar modules and wind turbines. At the same time, the site is located above Gundelsheim and away from existing residential buildings. That is why we can realize this new kind of combined project here and thus play a key role in mitigating climate change in the state.”

There are plans to submit the approval application for the wind farm – another feature of the energy park – in the third quarter of 2024. Commissioning is then scheduled for the third quarter of 2027. Two Enercon E160 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 5.6 megawatts, are planned for the site. They are expected to generate around 22 million kilowatt-hours per year. This is the equivalent to the annual consumption of around 6,600 households.

A battery storage with a capacity of 2.25 megawatt-hours will also be installed on site. The battery storage allows for more effective use of the installed capacity of the power generation units. The electricity produced can thus be fed into the grid more flexibly. It can also be used to meet the power needs of the facilities themselves.