To integrate solar and wind power even more efficiently into the electricity system in the future, the LEAG group is pursuing an integrated approach through its GigawattFactory, combining renewable generation, energy storage and dispatchable capacity. With construction of GridBattery Heinersbrück now underway, another building block for this integrated energy system is now taking shape. LEAG Clean Power GmbH is constructing a battery storage facility with a grid connection capacity of 100 megawatts and a storage capacity of 400 megawatt-hours (MWh). The project is being planned and implemented in partnership with Fluence Energy GmbH, a subsidiary of Fluence Energy, Inc. and a global leader in energy storage solutions.
“GridBattery Heinersbrück is the first LEAG Clean Power battery project to be developed at a shared grid connection point with wind and solar generation assets. This enables us to flexibly store surplus electricity from renewable energy sources and make it available when it is needed. This increases the efficiency of our energy system, relieves pressure on the power grids and strengthens security of supply,” says Thomas Brandenburg, Managing Director of LEAG Clean Power GmbH. “We are delighted to have Fluence as an experienced technology partner, supporting us in building a storage portfolio of national and European significance, both in Heinersbrück and at the Jänschwalde power plant site.”
Fluence is responsible for the engineering, supply and installation of GridBattery Heinersbrück. The project will utilise Smartstack, the company’s state-of-the-art energy storage solution. It is based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology and is designed for high energy density, safety and modularity. Fluence will provide system integration and deliver the facility on a turnkey basis. The two companies are also working together at the Jänschwalde power plant site, where the GigaBattery Jänschwalde 1000 – a large-scale storage facility with a capacity of 4,000 MWh – is set to be built.
“Following the GigaBattery Jänschwalde 1000, GridBattery Heinersbrück is already the second project we are delivering together with LEAG Clean Power in Lusatia. As a company with strong German roots, we share a common vision: to make large-scale energy storage the backbone of a modern German energy system,” said Julian Jansen, Managing Director Germany at Fluence.
Shared grid connection for wind, solar and storage
GridBattery Heinersbrück will be connected to the power grid via a shared grid connection point alongside Forst-Briesnig 2 Wind Farm and Bohrau 1 Solar Park, both developed and operated by LEAG Renewables GmbH. The two renewable energy projects, located in the post-mining landscape of the former Jänschwalde opencast mine, are nearing completion.
To enable the combined connection of wind energy, solar power and battery storage, the existing Heinersbrück substation has been upgraded into a hybrid grid connection point. The project included the installation of additional switchgear panels and modifications to protection and control systems. All work was carried out while the substation remained in operation. Necessary outages were kept to a minimum thanks to close cooperation between all project partners, including Omexom, ABB and Anlagen-Montagen Werder (AMW).
“With this hybrid grid connection, we are creating an infrastructure solution that ranks among the pioneers in Germany. Connecting wind power, photovoltaics and battery storage through a single substation allows for significantly more efficient use of scarce grid capacity and optimised operation of the assets. This combination of technologies is an important building block for driving forward the further expansion of renewable energy in a grid-friendly manner,” says Dominique Guillou, Managing Director of LEAG Renewables, which is responsible within the LEAG group for renewable energy projects and their grid integration.
GridBattery Heinersbrück is scheduled to enter operation in 2027. LEAG Clean Power is receiving European Union funding for the project from the Just Transition Fund.
