27.04.2023
Balancing energy :Telekom equips data centres with storage systems
The energy storage provider Intelion is installing large-scale storage systems for Deutsche Telekom in three data centres.

Source: enerNEWS partner energate

Storage systems with a capacity of 26.8 MWh each are planned for the Hanover and Bamberg sites, while Intelion is building a smaller storage system with a capacity of 6.4 MWh in Münster. Installation is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2023, with test operations starting in the third quarter and regular operations at the end of the year, Intelion said.

Intelion's subsidiary Power and Air Condition Solution Management GmbH (PASM) will manage the storage facilities and energy supply at the sites. The company operates its own balancing group in Germany and intends to use the storage facilities to participate in the market for balancing energy, in particular the market for primary balancing energy. In this market, participants have to provide or buy electricity within seconds. The energy transition requires renewable energies, which makes energy production increasingly volatile. "To ensure that the power needs of the communications networks can be met around the clock, energy storage systems are needed," says Christopfer Mathea, energy manager for sustainability technology at PASM.

Expansion of self-generation and storage systems

For the time being, no green power plants are planned at the three data centre locations. In the future, however, PASM intends to significantly expand its own generation portfolio. By 2030, its own green power plants are expected to produce 250 million kWh per year. This is equivalent to ten per cent of its total electricity requirements, according to a company spokeswoman. At present, only 0.6 per cent is produced in the company's own plants. The number of energy storage facilities is also set to increase: after the 60 MWh planned for 2023, a further 66 MWh will be added in 2024. In total, Deutsche Telekom plans to have a storage portfolio of around 300 MWh by 2030.

Since 2021, Deutsche Telekom has been sourcing 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources. To this end, it has signed long-term electricity supply agreements with Statkraft, Vattenfall and MVV AG.

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