How a pioneering BESS helped transform the Swedish energy landscape

How a Pioneering BESS Helped Transform the Swedish Energy Landscape

Only a few years ago, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) were something unheard of in the energy sphere. Now they are a vital component in the fossil-free energy transition. In a partnership with the project developer Ellevio Energy Solutions, Flower became one of the first actors to support the Swedish energy system with a battery system in Grums, Sweden. But why was the project such a trailblazer, and what can be learned from its 1 year as an optimizing energy asset?

Situated just north of Sweden’s lake Vänern, is the small industrial town Grums. Known for its large-scale paper industry, the town is now also home to a first-of-its-kind 10 MW battery park contributing to support the Swedish energy system. The battery project was finalized in the summer of 2022, launched by Ellevio Energy Solutions as their first Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Sweden. It was developed to support the Swedish TSO Svenska Kraftnät’s need to create balance in the national grid.

“We identified Flower as experts in terms of how to maximize the battery system’s potential.”

Kristoffer Fröjd – SVP Strategy and Business Development, Ellevio Energy Solutions

How a Pioneering BESS Helped Transform the Swedish Energy Landscape - Flower

Kristoffer Fröjd is the SVP Strategy and Business Development at Ellevio Energy Solutions. He was a part of launching the project in Grums. “The outline for this project started already in 2020. We asked ourselves how batteries could create value for both local stakeholders and the Swedish energy system. Along this process, we identified Flower as experts in terms of how to maximize the battery system’s potential. Together we formed a close partnership with a joint vision of deploying long-term battery projects, believing this would be a vital component for the energy transition. It has so far proven to be the right assumption,” he says.

Making the most of an emerging energy market

After being awarded the optimizing contract by Ellevio Energy Solutions in 2023, Flower stepped in using its cutting-edge optimizing platform to increase the revenue streams for its partner. By applying its forecasting models and trading expertise, Flower was able to optimize the battery systems and create additional value on an emerging Swedish ancillary market.

“At that time, a 10 MW battery system was unheard of in Sweden and, in many ways, one of a kind. For us, it felt like venturing into new territory, and we gained many valuable lessons throughout the entire project phase. Since the system became operational, we have successfully secured attractive revenues in the FCR-D markets while helping to balance the Swedish grid – a crucial service for the country and its society,” says Erik Falkenhain, Project Manager at Flower.

“So far, Ellevio Energy Solutions have together with Flower developed and optimized three new battery projects that are live today.”

Dennis Bohm, Asset Owner, Ellevio Energy Solutions

Supporting the grid at a critical time

On the 10th of June 2024, a nuclear reactor in Forsmark was temporarily taken out of operation which created a big frequency disruption. This was one of the first tests for the Grums battery system, which at this time proved to be instrumental in stabilizing the grid. By using stored energy from renewable sources and releasing it at this critical time, the battery systems were able to stabilize the frequency, contributing to reduced societal costs.

“BESS are really the swiss army knives of the energy industry. They can contribute to ancillary services and peak shaving in the national grid while supporting local communities by making way for new investment opportunities. They are also important in light of today’s focus on preparedness, supporting the grid in case of an emergency, blackouts or the like. The Grums project was a pioneering project in this sense, and it solidified a successful partnership with Flower. So far, Ellevio Energy Solutions have together with Flower developed and optimized three new battery projects that are live today. It has been an exciting journey and we are happy to continue on this path together,” concludes Dennis Bohm, Asset Owner at Ellevio Energy Solutions.

Grums, Sweden