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New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Recent energy storage innovations include Aramco commissioning the first-ever iron-vanadium flow battery backup for solar-powered gas wells in Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria inaugurating the EU’s largest battery energy storage system and New Zealand opening its first grid-scale BESS.
Aramco launches world first for solar-powered gas production
Aramco’s new megawatt-scale renewable energy storage system will power gas production activities in Wa’ad Al-Shamal, western Saudi Arabia. It is the first deployment globally of an iron-vanadium (Fe/V) flow battery as a backup solar power source for gas well operations, says the company.
The system was developed in collaboration with Chinese flow battery manufacturer Rongke Power (RKP). It will be able to support up to five wells over a projected 25-year lifespan.
Flow batteries store energy in liquid electrolytes separately from battery cells, and electrolytes pumped into the cell convert chemical energy into electricity. In addition to providing energy independence, flow batteries are said to be able to be repeatedly discharged and recharged with minimal capacity loss. They also reduce fire risks compared to other types of batteries, while their modular design makes them easier and less costly to maintain, according to Aramco.
It adds that the new Fe/V flow battery offers ‘enhanced electrolyte utilisation and reduced vanadium consumption compared to others available’. Its broad operating temperature range of –8°C to 60°C requires no thermal management systems.
Aramco reports that it already powers a large number of remote gas wells with solar panels connected to lead-acid battery systems. However, according to Ali A Al-Meshari, Aramco Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight & Coordination, the new Fe/V flow battery technology ‘offers a flexible solution for diverse renewable energy storage requirements, making it an attractive option for a variety of industrial applications… enhancing energy efficiency and reducing emissions across operations’.
The company reports that the project supports its wider goal of achieving net zero and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions across its wholly-owned operated assets by 2050.
EU’s largest battery storage system goes live in Bulgaria
In other news, Bulgaria has inaugurated a 124 MW/496.2 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) – ‘the largest in the European Union’, according to the Ministry of Energy.
The system was developed by Advance Green Energy, based in the country’s capital, Sofia.
Comprising some 111 units, the facility is located in Lovech, north-central Bulgaria, and ‘will help Bulgaria’s energy system to remain the most stable in the region', said Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov (pictured) during the opening ceremony. ‘It is the first step towards achieving the goal of having 10,000 MWh of operating batteries in the country within the next year,’ he added. He explained that such facilities guarantee system security and price stability for households and businesses, providing affordable energy.
A call for new energy storage capacity in the country recently awarded 9,712.89 MWh of projects.
A 25 MW/55 MWh BESS commissioned in Razlog, south-western Bulgaria, in June last year, was previously Bulgaria’s largest operating BESS.
Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov at the newly commissioned 124 MW battery energy storage system in Lovech, Bulgaria
Photo: Ministry of Energy
New Zealand opens its first large-scale BESS
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Meridian Energy officially opened what is said to be New Zealand’s first large-scale BESS on 23 May. Located near Whangārei, on the North Island, the Ruakākā project has a maximum output of 100 MW of electricity and storage capacity of 200 MWh. This is enough to power around 60,000 average households during winter for a two-hour period, according to the company.
Although construction and commissioning are now complete, some steps remain before the BESS is fully operational, including approval of final commissioning test results, reports Guy Waipara, General Manager Development, Meridian.
Meridian is also developing the neighbouring 130 MW Ruakākā solar farm. Construction is set to begin in August 2025, with commissioning slated in early 2027. The BESS and solar farm will form the Ruakākā Energy Park.
The company is planning to invest some $3bn in New Zealand over the next five years. It has four other projects already consented, including another BESS in Manawatū (in lower North Island) and several others progressing through consenting processes.
Ruakākā battery energy storage system, North Island, New Zealand
Photo: Meridian
