CEZ group launches Czechia's largest battery system in Ostrava

Ostrava, North Moravia, Feb 1 (CTK) - The semi-state energy group CEZ has launched the largest battery system in the Czech Republic in Ostrava-Vitkovice at a cost of more than Kc200m, the group's representatives told journalists today.

The battery system is able to store energy covering the daily consumption of 1,300 households and contributes to stabilising the grid and ensuring the required electricity parameters.

The system consists of 1,360 battery modules and contains 90 tons of lithium. It has an output of ten megawatts and thanks to its unique construction, it has 20 percent higher capacity compared to standard batteries. The system works in conjunction with the gas-fired power units of the upgraded energy centre Energocentrum Vitkovice.

It was built by company CEZ Energeticke sluzby from the CEZ ESCO group and will be operated CEZ Energo from the same group. IBG Czech Republic participated in the delivery and commissioning of the battery system.

The battery's primary function is to influence the frequency in the power grid, meaning that when there is a high consumption of electricity, the battery is able to supply electricity to the grid and stabilise the increase in frequency, whereas when there are large supplies from photovoltaic power plants, the battery can in turn accumulate the energy, said CEZ Energo head Martin Vaclavek.

The battery is recharged from gas cogeneration units.

According to CEZ ESCO head Kamil Cermak, this battery is just the beginning and other systems are now being prepared by CEZ.

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