Alfen builds 30MW/ 68MWh 'Project Pollux' largest BESS in Netherlands

Energy storage firm Alfen and project developer SemperPower have launched 'Project Pollux' - the largest battery energy storage system in terms of energy capacity ever built in the Netherlands till date. 

Located in Vlissingen, the storage system featuring Alfen's 'TheBattery Elements' will solve two of the energy transition's biggest challenges - an unbalanced grid and the unpredictability of renewable energy sources - according to the Dutch firm. 

The 30MW/ 68MWh battery energy storage system is expected to accelerate the integration of renewable energy into the Dutch electricity market. The system is said to balance energy supply and demand to offer grid congestion solutions, while also realizing investment in Dutch grid infrastructure. 

"Alfen is excited to be part of SemperPower's continued growth to help it contribute to Europe's energy transition," said Michelle Lesh, Chief Commercial Officer for Alfen. "Supporting grid challenges caused by increased intermittency from renewables and continued load growth is critical to Europe's energy transition's long-term success. Battery energy storage systems like Project Pollux play a crucial role in making our grid future-proof and effectively manage demands on the grid."

Alfen's 'TheBattery Elements' energy storage systems are tailor-made for different markets and applications based on the same design principles to guarantee performance, flexibility, modularity and longevity, as per the company's claim. 

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SemperPower, on the other hand, will develop, finance and operate the large-scale energy storage system. Alfen will manage design, supply, civil works, installation, tests and long-term maintenance. The system is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2023.

"In 2021 we successfully launched the first large-scale battery energy storage system together with Alfen," said Dennis Schiricke, CEO of SemperPower. "Since then, local system operators have seen explosive growth in requests to connect battery energy storage systems to their grids. With this project, we are, together with Alfen, continuing to respond to the challenges system operators are facing and accelerating the energy transition."

Alfen claims to have been developing energy storage systems since 2011 with installations in nine European countries.