The fundamental turnaround in the German energy system will only succeed if there is commitment to the development of storage technologies. This is the conclusion of the 3rd Lower Saxony Forum for Energy Storage and Systems in Hanover. TÜV NORD was host to this year’s meeting.
In future, promising options for storage solutions to make energy distribution more flexible will be available in the form of pumped storage power stations, compressed air storage systems, batteries, Power2Gas, Power2Heat and others.
“The need for flexible storage elements within energy supply systems is considerable today and will continue to increase in future”, said Dirk Stenkamp, Member of the TÜV NORD Board of Management. Renewable energies and suitable energy storage solutions must play a more active part in the stability of the power network. Stenkamp emphasised that this will also involve modification of the legal framework conditions, ensuring security for planned investments and promotion of the necessary investments themselves based on sustainable cost-effectiveness.
TÜV NORD, for many years a leading provider of testing and inspection services for conventional energies, is now making an important contribution to the sustainable expansion of renewable energies, said Stenkamp. “In Lower Saxony, and also elsewhere, we want to follow new, innovative and bold paths. To achieve this, we are in close contact with leading research institutions.”
The conference also discussed in depth the use of different storage media and their contribution to security of the energy supply. The central theme was always how to ensure safety when using the systems in practice. As part of this, Przemyslaw Glowacki from TÜV NORD explained how batteries must be carefully tested in the laboratory for use in areas at risk from explosive atmospheres before they can be used in the European Union or as the basis of worldwide approvals.
About TÜV NORD GROUP
With over 10,000 employees, TÜV NORD GROUP is one of the largest technical service providers, offering its advisory, service and inspection expertise in over 70 countries throughout the world. Areas of activity include Industrial Services, Mobility, IT and Training. TÜV NORD GROUP occupies a unique position in the sector based on its work in the fields of natural resources and aerospace and is firmly committed to its guiding principle and watchword: “Excellence for your business”.