Knowledge exchange event and Partner Meeting in Malmö, Sweden

We are very pleased to share insights from the latest partner meeting of the Energy Equilibrium project, held in Malmö, Sweden, on September 24-25, 2024. The event brought together key representatives from the municipalities of Gulbene, Tukums, Wejherowo, Tomelilla, and Mikolajki Pomorskie, as well as energy companies and research institutions from across the Baltic Sea region, including ZEBAU – Centre for Energy, Construction, Architecture, and the Environment Ltd, Thermopolis Ltd, the Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Sustainable Business Hub, the Lithuanian Energy Institute, and lead partner Riga Technical University (RTU). The meeting marked significant progress, with hard work and in-depth discussions driving the development of roadmap for renewable energy transitions in the region.

Overview

Partner meeting coordinator on September 24 was RTU and this meeting included the presentation of the Energy Equilibrium tool to stakeholders from municipalities and the energy sector, alongside discussions and activities aimed at gathering and discussing valuable feedback from participants. On the second day of the event, Sustainable Business Hub hosted a knowledge exchange session, which included workshops where project partners were divided into groups by the country they represent to brainstorm new ideas and concepts regarding the roadmap, as well as an international conference on energy storage. Representatives from the scientific organizations of each participating country gave presentations on their respective country’s energy infrastructure, including activities and policies related to energy storage.

Now the 4th period “Piloting and evaluating solutions” has begun and this means that the platform is finalized and it is being adapted to municipalities on a larger scale, while being further refined and prepared for the second major deliverable, which will be the roadmap for renewable energy transition in BSR municipalities. Later on, two scientific articles will conclude this project.

Key takeaways

The meeting highlighted the pivotal role of municipalities as regulators, energy suppliers, and motivators in the project.
A key focus of the event was knowledge exchange, where partners discussed pilot outcomes and renewable energy transition strategies, contributing to the creation of a detailed roadmap for energy transition in the Baltic Sea region. The roadmap will provide guidelines for municipalities, energy companies, and local authorities on efficient energy planning and carbon-neutral systems. By 2025, we aim to finalize key deliverables, including public seminars, webinars, and scientific publications, to share insights with both the scientific community and the public.

Each country’s energy system, as well as the deployment of energy storage technologies, is crucial for the global energy transition, therefore we offer below a slightly more detailed insight into each partner country.

Latvia

Energy storage is becoming essential in Latvia’s shift towards a sustainable energy system. With renewable energy sources (RES) like wind and solar covering about half of the country’s electricity needs, storage solutions are key to balancing supply and demand due to the intermittent nature of RES. Latvia is exploring various technologies, including batteries, hydrogen, and thermal storage, with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) playing a prominent role for their scalability. Companies like Latvenergo and independent producers are driving storage adoption, supported by European funding for pilot projects.

Lithuania

Lithuania is rapidly advancing its energy storage capabilities, positioning itself as a leader in the region’s energy transition. At the heart of this progress is one of Europe’s largest battery storage systems, operated by Energy Cells, with an impressive capacity of 200 MW and 200 MWh. This system plays a critical role in stabilizing Lithuania’s electricity grid, managing supply fluctuations, and ensuring energy security. As the country prepares to synchronize its electricity transmission network with the European grid by 2025, the expansion of energy storage infrastructure is essential to meet the growing demands of renewable energy integration. With 2,933 MW of renewable capacity already in place, Lithuania’s focus on storage is key to balancing this fluctuating supply.

Poland

Poland’s energy infrastructure, managed by Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne (PSE), is undergoing significant development as the country continues to expand its energy storage capabilities. As of May 2024, the total energy storage capacity in Poland has reached 7.6 GW, with contributions from transmission system operators (TSOs), distribution system operators (DSOs), and other key stakeholders, including industrial enterprises and renewable energy producers. The Żarnowiec pumped-storage power plant, the largest facility in the country with a capacity of 716 MW, is being enhanced by the construction of new lithium-ion battery systems, expected to add an additional 200 MW of capacity and 820 MWh of storage. Despite challenges, these advancements signal Poland’s commitment to enhancing its energy storage infrastructure to support a more resilient and sustainable energy system.

Sweden

Sweden is advancing its energy infrastructure under the management of Svenska kraftnät, which oversees the transmission grid connecting major production facilities to regional and local networks. Energy storage is increasingly critical, with companies such as Vattenfall, Atlas Copco, and E.ON implementing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to enhance grid support, reduce peak demand, and provide reliable backup power. Local authorities are also contributing by incorporating energy storage solutions into their energy planning and infrastructure, supporting Sweden’s broader transition towards sustainable and renewable energy sources.

Finland

Finland’s energy infrastructure is characterized by a diverse mix of energy sources, including nuclear, wind, solar, and biofuels. The country has made significant investments in renewable energy, with wind power capacity now exceeding 7000 MW, roughly matching the average national electricity demand. However, the volatility of wind power has introduced fluctuations in electricity prices, which Finland addresses through demand response, energy efficiency, and energy storage solutions. Notably, Finland has phased out the use of peat and is advancing biogas projects and pilot hydrogen initiatives to further strengthen its energy storage capacity.

Germany

Germany’s energy infrastructure is in the midst of a significant transition, aiming for 80% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% by 2035. Renewable energy production is dominated by onshore wind, which generates the highest energy output, while solar energy (PV) is the only sector meeting expansion goals. Germany’s energy storage technology is evolving, with battery storage capacity growing annually, surpassing pumped-storage capacities. The flexibility of the energy system and the expansion of storage technologies are critical to managing the increasing demand for electricity, especially with sector coupling in heat and mobility.

We’re excited about the progress we’ve made so far. The collaboration among our partners and the engagement from municipalities across the Baltic Sea region are driving us closer to our goal of creating a sustainable, renewable energy future.

Stay updated on our progress by following our project page.

This article was prepared and published by Laura Kristiāna Vičmane.

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