Ferry unloads components for Denmark’s largest battery project in Rønne

This morning, as the ferry to Bornholm docked in Rønne, the first components for Denmark’s largest battery were unloaded. Located just south of Hasle, this facility will store excess energy generated by solar and wind sources when production exceeds demand. Conversely, when wind turbines are idle and the sun is obscured, the battery will release stored energy back into Bornholm’s electricity grid.

The project is managed by the energy company Ewii, which is constructing seven large commercial batteries this year. Claus Møller, Ewii’s commercial director, emphasizes the role of batteries in the transition to renewable energy, highlighting that as solar and wind production increases, the need for energy storage becomes critical. Denmark is starting this initiative later than countries like England, Germany, and California, mainly due to a previous lack of demand for such infrastructure.

The Bornholm battery is set to be significantly larger than the six other batteries being developed by Ewii. While these smaller batteries cost around 100 million kroner collectively, the Bornholm project is estimated at 150 million kroner. This massive installation will occupy 1,400 square meters, weigh 890 tons, and consist of 114 battery units stacked in rows.

Møller anticipates that the investment will be recouped within six to eight years, with benefits for consumers in the form of lower electricity costs. Despite challenges in the battery production sector, including sourcing materials like cobalt and nickel, there is a growing focus on developing more environmentally friendly battery technologies. Experts believe that batteries, combined with other energy storage solutions, will play a key role in Denmark’s future energy landscape.