Ukraine’s Largest Battery Storage Project Enters Final Commissioning Phase

Despite the many challenges of building energy projects in a war zone, Ukraine’s largest battery energy storage project has entered its final delivery phase – ahead of schedule.

DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, and U.S.-based energy storage provider Fluence announced the accomplishment at last week’s Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome.

Under a contract with Ukrenergo, the country’s grid operator, a total of 200 MW of connected power has been deployed at six undisclosed locations. The systems are capable of storing 400 MWh of electricity – enough to power 600,000 homes for two hours, according to a statement from DTEK.

In addition to frequency and power reserve, the systems will provide balancing services, making the grid more resilient.

“The project with DTEK to build a strong and decentralized energy system for enhanced energy security in Ukraine is perfectly aligned with our mission to transform the way we power our world. It is also one of the most impactful projects in our company’s history,” said Julian Nebreda, CEO of Fluence.

Finding new ways to work in wartime

The installations include 698 Gridstack cubes, Fluence’s grid-scale energy storage product that is configurable and scalable. Each cube has between 20 MW and 50 MW of capacity.

Due to restrictions in Ukraine that limited access to the sites, and the challenges presented by the on-going war, Fluence is commissioning the entire project remotely with the assistance of 20 specially trained Ukrainian power engineers and operations specialists.

The local team was trained by Fluence at the company’s existing energy storage facilities in Germany and Finland, where they learned skills needed to safely and independently manage the lithium-ion-based energy storage system. This includes the training to respond to emergencies and resolve potential malfunctions.

“With our partner Fluence we are fast-tracking innovation, building homegrown technical expertise and showing that even in wartime, progress is achievable,” said Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK. “This battery storage facility is proof of our determination to build back stronger. Together, we’re taking an important step towards a more secure and resilient energy system of Ukraine.” 

Microgrids also taking a lead role in Ukraine’s energy resilience

Microgrids have also taken center stage in Ukraine, helping maintain electricity access in areas where the central grid has been repeatedly damaged by Russian attacks since the 2022 invasion.

In particular, portable solar microgrids are powering surgical and neonatal units in front line hospitals where diesel generators are no longer reliable.

As Microgrid Knowledge reported earlier this year, lack of maintenance and fuel availability mean diesel generators can’t provide the uninterruptible power physicians need to treat patients.  

Energy storage system to be fully operational ahead of winter heating season

Commissioning, testing and the first discharge of the new energy storage systems’ batteries are now underway, with Fluence monitoring operations and diagnostics remotely to ensure the deployment progresses smoothly.

“The remote commissioning approach we have introduced ensures continuity and operational efficiency amid travel restrictions and will also enable faster scaling of any future deployments,” Nebreda said. 

The new battery energy storage system is expected to be fully operational by October, ahead of the country’s winter heating season.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, setting off what has been called the deadliest war in Europe since World War II. The Russians have launched hundreds of missiles and drones against Ukraine's energy infrastructure throughout the war, intensifying that assault in the past year, according to the International Energy Agency.