Swiss Valley Power Energy Storage System

How does electricity storage work in Switzerland?

Electricity storage is not separately defined in the Swiss legislative framework. The biggest obstacle for electricity companies is to obtain a construction permit and a concession for the operation of a pumped storage plant, which is granted for a maximum of 80 years.

Which energy storage projects have been commissioned in Switzerland?

Axpo commissioned its BESS in February this year while utility Thurplus commissioned a 3MW system in September last year. But Switzerland was the location for one of the largest energy storage projects commissioned in recent years, a 20GWh pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) unit which started operations in June 2022 in the Canton of Valais.

Where is the Nant de Drance pumped storage power plant?

The Nant de Drance pumped storage power plant in Valais, Switzerland. Image: Alpiq. A pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) plant with a capacity of 20GWh in Valais, Switzerland will begin operations on Friday 1 July.

Is MW storage the country's largest battery storage project?

MW Storage is a developer of BESS projects which is also active in the German market, with a 100MW/200MWh project underway that it claimed is the country’s largest. The inauguration ceremony for the BESS project. Image: EWS AG. EWS AG and MW Storage have expanded a battery storage project in Switzerland to 28MW, making it the country's largest.

How does the Vieux-Emosson power station work?

The water stored in the upper reservoir of Vieux-Emosson, which has a storage capacity of 227,000,000 m3, or 20 million kWh, falls into the underground power station via two vertical shafts that are 425 m high. The project was built at a cost of approximately CHF 2 billion ($2.09 billion) and saw the participation of 60 enterprises.

Is Bess being monetised in the Swiss electricity market?

It is being monetised in the Swiss electricity market by both CKW, part of Axpo, and utility Alpiq, the announcement said. The BESS is part of a network of power plants, consumers and batteries, it added. The large-scale BESS market in Switzerland has been relatively quiet with renewable penetration on the country’s grid still relatively low.