Study confirms great potential for hybrid grid boosters

27.08.2025

Source: E & M powernews

A consortium of scientific institutions and Transnet BW has investigated the conditions for the efficient operation of a hybrid grid booster.

The combination of a hydrogen-capable gas turbine and battery storage can make an important contribution to grid stabilization, according to the findings of Baden-Württemberg scientists and the transmission system operator Transnet BW. A research project, in which the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Ulm University of Applied Sciences (THU) and the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) were also involved, was able to show that such a hybrid grid booster can be operated economically and reduce redispatch costs.

"The basic idea is to use large-scale battery storage systems that can provide relief within a very short time if a fault occurs in the power grid," write the researchers in their final report on the project, entitled "HydrogREenBoost".

Ulm University of Applied Sciences set up a grid laboratory specifically for their analysis in order to test the components under realistic conditions, as detailed in a press release. The scientists and grid specialists concluded that the battery storage system was boosted from standby to nominal power within 2.4 seconds and replaced by the hydrogen turbine after 25.4 minutes. "The test was able to demonstrate a constant power band - flexible, efficient and low in emissions," it says. Expensive redispatch measures, such as the curtailment of renewable energies, could be avoided in this way and the grid could be utilized at a correspondingly higher level.

Amortization in three to seven years

As part of the project, the scientists have developed a tool that enables the system components of the grid booster to be designed efficiently. When investigating various implementation scenarios, a 500 MW system with a battery storage capacity of 176.5 MWh and a turbine connected to the gas grid proved to be particularly "promising". Against this backdrop, the scientists estimate a payback period of three to seven years due to the savings in redispatch costs - depending on the expansion status of the grid. This also includes possible revenues from marketing the plant on the control reserve market. These amount to between 26.3 and 42.2 million euros per year, as can be seen in the final report. The average cost of implementing the project is given as 425.5 million euros. If a variant with additional hydrogen storage is chosen, the resilience of the entire system can be increased. However, this would also lead to higher costs.

The researchers also expressly point out that revenue potential in markets that may arise in the future for the provision of reactive power, instantaneous reserve or black start-capable power was not taken into account. Further revenue could also be generated, for example, through simple trading profits with stored electricity, through the generation of electricity with the gas turbine at times of high load in the grid or through the production and direct sale of hydrogen. These were also not the subject of the study.

The project partners' final report on "HydrogREenBoost " is available for download on the Internet.

Author: Fritz Wilhelm