The Volkswagen Group, through its Elli charging and energy brand, is venturing into the industrial energy storage market.
Partnering with companies across the value chain, Elli will develop, build, and operate large-scale stationary storage systems. These systems will serve both customer energy needs and participate in electricity market arbitrage transactions.
This strategic move positions Elli as a leading smart energy company, contributing significantly to the stabilization and efficiency of power grids. The first Elli battery storage projects could launch as early as next year.
Large-Scale Storage Capacity to Double Germany’s Current Capacity
Elli’s project pipeline includes ambitious plans for battery storage systems with capacities reaching up to 350 MW and 700 MWh. These projects have the potential to nearly double Germany’s current installed storage capacity of approximately one GWh.
“Germany and Europe need ample storage solutions to meet growing demand and balance the fluctuating supply of renewable energy. Our investment in stationary battery storage systems represents a substantial contribution to the sustainable transformation of our energy supply,”.
Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Board Member for Technology
Meeting the Growing Demand for Storage Solutions
The demand for storage solutions is immense: in Germany alone, around 10,500 GWh of renewable electricity went unused in 2023 due to a lack of intermediate storage. This lost electricity could have powered over 3.2 million electric vehicles for an entire year with renewable sources.
To address the volatility of renewable energy, the Fraunhofer Institute predicts a need for over 100 GWh of battery storage by 2030.
By entering the industrial energy storage market, Elli reinforces its leadership in the mobility and energy transition. “We see significant financial potential in this sector and the opportunity for Elli to evolve into a comprehensive energy provider in Europe,” explains Giovanni Palazzo, CEO of Elli.