Market Trends of Europe Energy Storage Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Europe Energy Storage Market according to our research experts:
Batteries Segment to Dominate the Market
- Battery energy storage is considered a critical technology in transitioning to a sustainable energy system. The battery energy storage systems regulate voltage and frequency, reduce peak demand charges, integrate renewable sources, and provide a backup power supply. Batteries are crucial in energy storage systems and are responsible for around 60% of the system's total cost.
- Battery energy storage systems, coupled with renewables, such as wind and solar, are technically and commercially viable for extensively increasing grid stability. Europe is undergoing an energy transformation, expected to intensify over the coming years. The change includes a greater reliance on renewable energy in response to climate mitigation policies.
- In renewable energy generation, battery energy storage serves as a medium for an excess generation which can be used when needed. Energy storage systems also served as a means of increasing power utilization and increased power utilization efficiency rates. This helps balance energy in various time ranges to match demand and supply.
- The installation of renewable energy sources has grown significantly in Europe. In 2021 the installed renewable energy capacity in Europe was 647.39 GW compared to 512.78 GW in 2017, showing a growth rate of 26.25%. A similar trend is expected to be followed during the forecasted period.
- Moreover, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many European Union countries announced plans to accelerate renewable deployment to reduce their dependence on Russian natural gas imports. Countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal have either increased their renewable energy ambitions or moved their initial targets earlier. This will increase the demand for battery energy storage systems during the forecasted period.
- For instance, in February 2022, Battery manufacturer Saft announced that it had secured a contract from Neoen to deliver a turnkey 8MW/8 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Antugnac, Southern France. The facility will be the first co-located BESS and solar farm connected to Réseau de Transport d'Électricité's (RTE) high-voltage transmission grid in France. Saft is building the new ESS on an EPC basis, with completion scheduled for spring 2022, within ten months of contract signing.
- Therefore, owing to the above points, the battery segment is expected to dominate the Europe energy storage market during the forecast period.
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Germany to Dominate the Market
- Germany has one of Europe's and the world's largest energy storage markets. The country's energy storage business has grown significantly in recent years due to ambitious energy transition projects and a target of lowering greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% (relative to 1990 levels) by 2050. In addition, the country intends to phase out nuclear power reactors by 2023, accelerating renewable energy development to compensate for the lower power-producing capability.
- Germany is already at the forefront of renewable energy development. The German government has a target for renewables to meet 80% of the electricity demand in the country by 2030. Solar power and onshore- and offshore wind power will be the main pillars of renewable energy production.
- The energy storage market in Germany has experienced a massive boost in recent years, majorly due to the country's ambitious energy transition project, "Energiewende." The boom of batteries and other storage technologies are expected to profoundly impact Germany's energy transition.
- Additionally, The adoption of household solar storage systems is increasing in Germany, owing to high power costs and the present energy crisis, with the number of new installations projected to increase by almost 60% in 2021. According to the German solar energy group BSW, about 141,000 new solar storage systems were installed in 2021 by German households, reaching the cumulative installation 413,000 units across the country.
- The primary driver of battery storage in the country is the sharp price decline in lithium-ion batteries due to their wide use in consumer electronics and other applications. In the last five years, battery costs have more than halved in the country, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years.
- According to International Energy Agency (IEA), in Germany, storage deployment is encouraged through innovation auctions, which reward the combination of renewables and storage. All successful bids in 2021 and 2022, totaling over 1 GW of installed capacity, were projects combining solar PV with battery storage.
- For instance, in October 2022, Fluence Energy GmbH and TransnetBW GmbH announced they would deploy the world's largest battery-based energy storage-as-transmission project. The project will improve energy security and significantly support Germany's energy transition pathway by increasing the efficiency of the existing grid infrastructure. The 250 MW battery-based energy storage system, supplied by Fluence, will be located at Kupferzell, a significant grid hub. It is planned for completion in 2025.
- Therefore, owing to the above points, Germany is expected to dominate the Europe energy storage market during the forecast period.
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