Not only in view of the current dramatic geopolitical changes is it clear that an energy transition away from fossil sources towards regenerative forms of generation is important and urgent. It is now undisputed that energy from the sun and wind is indispensable. But modern storage options are also in demand.
It’s not just about battery technology. “Anyone who is serious about climate protection cannot avoid the rapid expansion of regionally available renewable energies,” says Jan Kiver, spokesman for the Riedl energy storage project, which could be built opposite Engelhartszell.
“As a necessary supplement in terms of energy technology, we also need appropriate efficient flexibility and energy storage capacities for times without wind and solar power generation.” In order to achieve the climate targets, power generation from renewable energies, the power grids and storage capacities must be expanded more urgently than ever and at an accelerated pace.
Important for the energy transition
“The climate policy goals therefore encourage Donaukraftwerk Jochenstein AG (DKJ) and Verbund more than ever to stick to the Riedl energy storage facility,” confirms the company spokesman when asked by OÖN.
The Riedl energy storage facility is an indispensable pillar for a successful energy transition. In this context, this is an essential pillar for storing the solar power generated in the region. On the one hand, because the construction of the 300 megawatt energy storage facility will increase pumped storage capacity in Bavaria by more than 50 percent and storage capacity by more than 70 percent. And on the other hand, because the Riedl energy storage facility, in the technical interaction with the Jochenstein power plant on the Danube, makes a significant contribution to ensuring grid stability and thus the security of supply even with increasingly fluctuating electricity generation from wind and sun.
Any memory is required
For a successful energy transition, every form of economically viable and ecologically justifiable, environmentally friendly storage technology is required. One of them is pumped storage technology. Irrespective of all the developments in the storage sector, pumped storage power plants – such as the Riedl energy storage facility – would remain the most tried and tested and by far the most sustainable regional technology for integrating wind and solar power in the coming decades.
As of 2020, the investment volume for the Riedl energy storage facility is around 400 million euros. Arithmetically, around 3.5 million kilowatt hours can be generated with one storage tank filling. It takes 13 hours to completely fill the reservoir during the day when the sun is shining. Hydroelectric power can then be generated for eleven hours by completely draining the water from the storage reservoir in accordance with the grid requirements. At the beginning of December 2021, Donaukraftwerk Jochenstein AG submitted extensively updated documents to the district office of Passau. The public display in the planning approval process took place from July 12 to August 11.
Awaiting discussion
No additional objections were filed at this year’s public display. The next step in the process is the oral discussion in the planning approval process and in the Upper Austrian environmental impact assessment. Any objections will be dealt with. The planning approval decision is then issued.
Source: Nachrichten
