A Smart Step Toward Local Energy Resilience Introduction

In the picturesque municipality of Gasen, located within one of Austria’s climate and energy model regions, a forward-looking energy project is taking shape. As part of a broader effort to accelerate the energy transition, the installation of a community battery storage system is empowering local citizens to actively participate in shaping a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

 

Local Storage for Local Power
The heart of the initiative is a battery system that stores surplus solar energy generated by photovoltaic (PV) systems installed in the region. Instead of feeding this excess energy directly into the grid, or worse, wasting it, the system stores it for later use within the local community. This helps maximize local self-consumption and reduce dependency on external power sources, all while easing pressure on the public electricity grid.

Smart Grid Optimization
A key feature of the project is the comparison between conventional and grid-optimized storage strategies. The latter is designed to support grid stability by taking into account current electricity demand and supply conditions. This “grid-friendly” approach ensures that energy flows are not only efficient but also aligned with the grid’s real-time capacity, enabling better integration of renewables and more stable operation.

Technical Specifications
The battery system in Gasen is robust and tailored to meet community-scale energy needs:

• Maximum charging power: 80 kW

• Storage capacity: 160 kWh

• Technology: Lithium iron phosphate

• Voltage level: 400 V

• Grid level: 7 (within the local distribution grid)

• Installed PV capacity on transformer: Approx. 350 kW

These specifications allow the system to serve as a buffer during peak generation periods and facilitate additional grid connection requests, contributing to more flexible and scalable energy infrastructure.

A Joint Effort Toward Sustainability
The Gasen project is part of two major initiatives:

• INNOnet (Austria): Supporting regional innovation and sustainable development

• PARMENIDES (EU Horizon 2020): Aiming to deliver interoperable, scalable, and intelligent energy systems

With backing from both national and EU programs, the project not only provides a tangible model for community energy storage but also strengthens local commitment to renewable energy, citizen engagement, and climate action.

The Gasen battery project illustrates how local innovation and European collaboration can pave the way for smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy systems. By optimizing the use of local renewable energy and supporting grid stability, it offers a replicable blueprint for energy communities across Europe.

Learn more about the Gasen battery project here

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