January 22, 2026
by in News

IRENA: Global daily flexibility needs are quadrupling by 2050

In IRENA’s Planned Energy Scenario at the global level, electricity system flexibility needs on a daily timescale are four times higher in 2050 than in 2019. In the weekly and monthly timescales, the energy required for the purpose grows by three and 2.5 times, respectively. As for the 1.5°C Scenario, implying a much higher share of renewables, the daily flexibility needs jump ten times by mid-century, versus six times for both remaining segments.

Electrification of end-use energy, large-scale deployment of distributed energy resources and the emergence of large new electricity loads from data centres are increasing demand and adding new layers of complexity. It means power systems will need stronger grids and more flexibility to ensure that electricity is available when and where needed and at the lowest possible cost, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) pointed out in a brief called Flexibility for a secure and affordable power sector transformation.

Aside from buildings and transportation, new demand is coming from the growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), driving the expansion of data center capacity. In 2024, data centers consumed 1.5% of electricity. The International Energy Agency expects the share to double by 2030.

The share of variable renewable energy is increasing – wind and solar power in particular. Demand patterns become more complex, so the potential for mismatches between supply and demand is likely to grow, becoming more frequent and significant. It highlights the increasing importance of system flexibility. It is the capacity to respond to expected and unexpected fluctuations in the demand for and supply of electricity in a cost-effective manner.

Some forms of flexibility act automatically to keep the system stable, while others can be scheduled and operate over hours, days or even seasons

Insufficient system flexibility can result in excessive curtailment or, in market-based systems, negative electricity prices. It can also result in shortages, jeopardising the reliable supply of electricity.

System flexibility is needed by the power system to adjust to the variability of generation and demand patterns across different timescales. Some forms of flexibility act automatically within seconds to keep the system stable, while others can be scheduled in anticipation and operate over hours, days or even seasons, through market adjustments and operational and resource planning.

Network flexibility, which isn’t covered in IRENA’s brief, is different. It is the capacity to adjust for grid availability by means of preventing or solving congestion or voltage issues.

Required flexibility depends on numerous factors

In the timescale of seconds to minutes, flexibility is needed to maintain the balance during sudden changes in demand or supply, such as the
disconnection of an interconnector or a major load or generator. The hours and days timescale has daily ups and downs of solar and wind generation alongside the peaks and troughs in demand throughout the day.

In the weeks and seasons segment, flexibility enables covering longer weather patterns caused by changes in the season or low-wind periods. In power systems mainly supplied by renewables, flexibility is also needed at inter-annual timescales. The main factors are climate-driven variations in resource availability. It especially concerns hydrology, but also wind and solar, as well as year-to-year differences in seasonal heating and cooling demand.

In power systems mainly supplied by renewables, flexibility is also needed at inter-annual timescales

Flexibility is not a single asset or function; instead it corresponds to a capability provided by a portfolio of different technologies, operational practices and market mechanisms. The required level of flexibility in a power system depends on, among other factors, the prevailing generation mix, geography, power sector structure and affected timescales.

Storage, demand-side management (DSM), interconnections and dispatchable resources each contribute differently.

Advances in forecasting and the introduction of shorter dispatch intervals, scheduled closer to real-time operation, allow more frequent and precise adjustments of generation and demand before electricity is delivered. One example are intraday markets complementing day-ahead markets.

Electricity must become main energy carrier by mid-century to keep global warming in check

In IRENA’s 1.5°C Scenario, the energy transition will be driven by the deployment of renewable energy, improvements in energy efficiency and the electrification of end-use sectors. The aim is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2100.

Electricity would need to become the main energy carrier by 2050. It would account for over half of total final energy consumption. The 2022 level was 23%.

Global electricity generation is projected to be 36% higher in 2030 and three times higher in 2050 than in 2023. Renewable resources would supply 68% of electricity in 2030 and 91% in 2050. Renewables would account for 77% of total installed power capacity in 2030 and 94% in 2050.

In the same setting, 70% of electricity generated in 2050 comes from wind and photovoltaics, taken together. In IRENA’s Planned Energy Scenario, not projecting full decarbonization, the level is 53%.

In IRENA’s 1.5°C Scenario, the share of electricity in total final energy consumption more than doubles by 2050, surpassing 50%

Flexibility needs are calculated as total cumulated annual energy deviation from the average net load (which excludes variable renewable energy generation).

In the 1.5°C Scenario, the power sector requires ten times more flexibility in 2050 than in 2019 to manage the daily variability of net load. In terms of share of annual electricity demand, the authors observed a surge to 30% from 7%. Flexibility needs for managing the variability in weekly and monthly timescales are both six times higher.

In IRENA’s Planned Energy Scenario, daily flexibility needs in 2050 are four times higher. In the weekly timescale, the level triples from 2019, and the monthly item is 2.5 times higher.

IRENA Global daily flexibility needs quadrupling by 2050
Photo: The height of bars indicates flexibility requirements in terawatt-hours per year. Purple horizontal markers show flexibility needs as a percentage of annual electricity demand. (IRENA)

Batteries perform best in daily segment

Battery energy storage is the most effective in addressing daily flexibility needs, the report finds. It is only 24% as effective at meeting weekly needs and 12% as effective for monthly needs.

Interconnections and LDES are effective on the weekly and monthly scales

Interconnections are the most effective in addressing weekly flexibility needs, but also 98% as effective for monthly needs. As for the daily segment, the coverage is just 28%.

The numbers for long-duration energy storage (LDES) solutions are similar. Compared with addressing weekly flexibility needs, LDES is 90% as effective for monthly needs and 34% as effective in the daily item.

Post Views:97
January 20, 2026
by in News

IRENA: Global daily flexibility needs are quadrupling by 2050

In IRENA’s Planned Energy Scenario at the global level, electricity system flexibility needs on a daily timescale are four times higher in 2050 than in 2019. In the weekly and monthly timescales, the energy required for the purpose grows by three and 2.5 times, respectively. As for the 1.5°C Scenario, implying a much higher share of renewables, the daily flexibility needs jump ten times by mid-century, versus six times for both remaining segments.

Electrification of end-use energy, large-scale deployment of distributed energy resources and the emergence of large new electricity loads from data centres are increasing demand and adding new layers of complexity. It means power systems will need stronger grids and more flexibility to ensure that electricity is available when and where needed and at the lowest possible cost, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) pointed out in a brief called Flexibility for a secure and affordable power sector transformation.

Aside from buildings and transportation, new demand is coming from the growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), driving the expansion of data center capacity. In 2024, data centers consumed 1.5% of electricity. The International Energy Agency expects the share to double by 2030.

The share of variable renewable energy is increasing – wind and solar power in particular. Demand patterns become more complex, so the potential for mismatches between supply and demand is likely to grow, becoming more frequent and significant. It highlights the increasing importance of system flexibility. It is the capacity to respond to expected and unexpected fluctuations in the demand for and supply of electricity in a cost-effective manner.

Some forms of flexibility act automatically to keep the system stable, while others can be scheduled and operate over hours, days or even seasons

Insufficient system flexibility can result in excessive curtailment or, in market-based systems, negative electricity prices. It can also result in shortages, jeopardising the reliable supply of electricity.

System flexibility is needed by the power system to adjust to the variability of generation and demand patterns across different timescales. Some forms of flexibility act automatically within seconds to keep the system stable, while others can be scheduled in anticipation and operate over hours, days or even seasons, through market adjustments and operational and resource planning.

Network flexibility, which isn’t covered in IRENA’s brief, is different. It is the capacity to adjust for grid availability by means of preventing or solving congestion or voltage issues.

Required flexibility depends on numerous factors

In the timescale of seconds to minutes, flexibility is needed to maintain the balance during sudden changes in demand or supply, such as the
disconnection of an interconnector or a major load or generator. The hours and days timescale has daily ups and downs of solar and wind generation alongside the peaks and troughs in demand throughout the day.

In the weeks and seasons segment, flexibility enables covering longer weather patterns caused by changes in the season or low-wind periods. In power systems mainly supplied by renewables, flexibility is also needed at inter-annual timescales. The main factors are climate-driven variations in resource availability. It especially concerns hydrology, but also wind and solar, as well as year-to-year differences in seasonal heating and cooling demand.

In power systems mainly supplied by renewables, flexibility is also needed at inter-annual timescales

Flexibility is not a single asset or function; instead it corresponds to a capability provided by a portfolio of different technologies, operational practices and market mechanisms. The required level of flexibility in a power system depends on, among other factors, the prevailing generation mix, geography, power sector structure and affected timescales.

Storage, demand-side management (DSM), interconnections and dispatchable resources each contribute differently.

Advances in forecasting and the introduction of shorter dispatch intervals, scheduled closer to real-time operation, allow more frequent and precise adjustments of generation and demand before electricity is delivered. One example are intraday markets complementing day-ahead markets.

Electricity must become main energy carrier by mid-century to keep global warming in check

In IRENA’s 1.5°C Scenario, the energy transition will be driven by the deployment of renewable energy, improvements in energy efficiency and the electrification of end-use sectors. The aim is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2100.

Electricity would need to become the main energy carrier by 2050. It would account for over half of total final energy consumption. The 2022 level was 23%.

Global electricity generation is projected to be 36% higher in 2030 and three times higher in 2050 than in 2023. Renewable resources would supply 68% of electricity in 2030 and 91% in 2050. Renewables would account for 77% of total installed power capacity in 2030 and 94% in 2050.

In the same setting, 70% of electricity generated in 2050 comes from wind and photovoltaics, taken together. In IRENA’s Planned Energy Scenario, not projecting full decarbonization, the level is 53%.

In IRENA’s 1.5°C Scenario, the share of electricity in total final energy consumption more than doubles by 2050, surpassing 50%

Flexibility needs are calculated as total cumulated annual energy deviation from the average net load (which excludes variable renewable energy generation).

In the 1.5°C Scenario, the power sector requires ten times more flexibility in 2050 than in 2019 to manage the daily variability of net load. In terms of share of annual electricity demand, the authors observed a surge to 30% from 7%. Flexibility needs for managing the variability in weekly and monthly timescales are both six times higher.

In IRENA’s Planned Energy Scenario, daily flexibility needs in 2050 are four times higher. In the weekly timescale, the level triples from 2019, and the monthly item is 2.5 times higher.

IRENA Global daily flexibility needs quadrupling by 2050
Photo: The height of bars indicates flexibility requirements in terawatt-hours per year. Purple horizontal markers show flexibility needs as a percentage of annual electricity demand. (IRENA)

Batteries perform best in daily segment

Battery energy storage is the most effective in addressing daily flexibility needs, the report finds. It is only 24% as effective at meeting weekly needs and 12% as effective for monthly needs.

Interconnections and LDES are effective on the weekly and monthly scales

Interconnections are the most effective in addressing weekly flexibility needs, but also 98% as effective for monthly needs. As for the daily segment, the coverage is just 28%.

The numbers for long-duration energy storage (LDES) solutions are similar. Compared with addressing weekly flexibility needs, LDES is 90% as effective for monthly needs and 34% as effective in the daily item.

Post Views:61
January 15, 2026
by in News

Electrification is redefining energy: Volue appoints Stephan Sieber as CEO

Volue’s new Chief Executive Officer Stephan Sieber is responsible for the expansion and transformation ahead, to unleash the company’s expertise across data and forecasting, trading, optimization and planning, and grid operations. “Volue turns complexity into advantage, and the momentum with our customers right now is just the beginning,” he stated.

Norwegian electrification software maker Volue revealed that it has appointed Stephan Sieber as CEO and stressed that it is a pivotal moment for the energy sector. In the artificial intelligence era, the company provides real-time intelligence, automation, and optimization of assets for efficiency, precision and performance, the update adds.

“Electrification is accelerating at historic speed. Weather-dependent renewable power systems are becoming more unpredictable and data-intensive, and customers face rising operational complexity. Stephan’s mandate is to extend Volue’s market leadership and drive transformation and growth, unleashing Volue’s expertise across data and forecasting, trading, optimisation and planning, and grid operations – helping energy customers turn complexity into competitive advantage,” the announcement reads.

Market at inflection point

Europe is on track to double its electrification efforts by 2030, adding as much capacity in the next five years as in the previous three decades, Volue pointed out. It noted that the surge is driven in part by the electrification of transportation and heat, and rising digital demand from AI and data centres, fundamentally reshaping energy markets.

Power systems are no longer centralized and predictable; they are becoming distributed, volatile, and data-intensive, the company underscored. Decision windows are shrinking, markets transact continuously, and success now depends on real-time intelligence, automation, and precision, Volue said. The company has more than 800 energy customers across Europe and Japan.

Volue said it had stellar organic growth last year alongside selective mergers and acquisitions.

Stephan Sieber, CEO, Volue, said: “With electrification accelerating and system complexity rising, customers need to partner with the best technology providers. Volue turns complexity into advantage, and the momentum with our customers right now is just the beginning. I’m extremely excited about where the company, the market, and our customers are, and how quickly the impact is compounding,”

Enabling performance in volatile markets

Volue operates other companies’ assets through real-time operations intelligence, enabling market anticipation and execution, and 30% of Europe’s intraday market volume is flowing through Volue Trading solutions, the company stressed. Its AI-driven optimization is influencing decisions across 500 TWh of annual generation, representing 20% of Europe’s total power production.

The company claimed it is “the dominant partner of choice” for 40% of Europe’s independent power producers in renewables integration.

“Throughout his career, Stephan has consistently delivered exceptional results, driving growth, leading complex strategic and operational transformations, and building high-performing teams in some of the most competitive markets. He has an extraordinary ability to understand customer needs, anticipate market trends, and turn opportunities into tangible, lasting outcomes, earning him a reputation as a market-proven leader,” Chairman of Volue Pete Daffern stated.

Post Views:62
January 15, 2026
by in News

Electrification is redefining energy: Volue appoints Stephan Sieber as CEO

Volue’s new Chief Executive Officer Stephan Sieber is responsible for the expansion and transformation ahead, to unleash the company’s expertise across data and forecasting, trading, optimization and planning, and grid operations. “Volue turns complexity into advantage, and the momentum with our customers right now is just the beginning,” he stated.

Norwegian electrification software maker Volue revealed that it has appointed Stephan Sieber as CEO and stressed that it is a pivotal moment for the energy sector. In the artificial intelligence era, the company provides real-time intelligence, automation, and optimization of assets for efficiency, precision and performance, the update adds.

“Electrification is accelerating at historic speed. Weather-dependent renewable power systems are becoming more unpredictable and data-intensive, and customers face rising operational complexity. Stephan’s mandate is to extend Volue’s market leadership and drive transformation and growth, unleashing Volue’s expertise across data and forecasting, trading, optimisation and planning, and grid operations – helping energy customers turn complexity into competitive advantage,” the announcement reads.

Market at inflection point

Europe is on track to double its electrification efforts by 2030, adding as much capacity in the next five years as in the previous three decades, Volue pointed out. It noted that the surge is driven in part by the electrification of transportation and heat, and rising digital demand from AI and data centres, fundamentally reshaping energy markets.

Power systems are no longer centralized and predictable; they are becoming distributed, volatile, and data-intensive, the company underscored. Decision windows are shrinking, markets transact continuously, and success now depends on real-time intelligence, automation, and precision, Volue said. The company has more than 800 energy customers across Europe and Japan.

Volue said it had stellar organic growth last year alongside selective mergers and acquisitions.

Stephan Sieber, CEO, Volue, said: “With electrification accelerating and system complexity rising, customers need to partner with the best technology providers. Volue turns complexity into advantage, and the momentum with our customers right now is just the beginning. I’m extremely excited about where the company, the market, and our customers are, and how quickly the impact is compounding,”

Enabling performance in volatile markets

Volue operates other companies’ assets through real-time operations intelligence, enabling market anticipation and execution, and 30% of Europe’s intraday market volume is flowing through Volue Trading solutions, the company stressed. Its AI-driven optimization is influencing decisions across 500 TWh of annual generation, representing 20% of Europe’s total power production.

The company claimed it is “the dominant partner of choice” for 40% of Europe’s independent power producers in renewables integration.

“Throughout his career, Stephan has consistently delivered exceptional results, driving growth, leading complex strategic and operational transformations, and building high-performing teams in some of the most competitive markets. He has an extraordinary ability to understand customer needs, anticipate market trends, and turn opportunities into tangible, lasting outcomes, earning him a reputation as a market-proven leader,” Chairman of Volue Pete Daffern stated.

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December 8, 2025
by in News

PPC receives funds for stalled Mesochora hydropower project 

Public Power Corporation has received funds to speed up its Mesochora hydropower project, stalled for 24 years.

The Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy announced that the procedures to complete the Mesochora hydropower plant (HPP) in Trikala would be significantly accelerated, ending a 24-year period of judicial deadlock and construction suspension.

Of note, the project was revived in 2021–2022.

The ministry said it signed an agreement with government-controlled Public Power Corporation (PPC or DEI), the project’s developer and operator, on the necessary studies required to finalize the 161.6 MW facility.

PPC is now responsible for commissioning the necessary relocation studies

The deal directly addresses the most sensitive issue: the relocation of residents from the affected settlement of Mesochora, the announcement revealed.

PPC is now responsible for commissioning the necessary relocation studies, with a budget of EUR 1,313,160.00, the update reads.

The ministry claimed that the government is committed to ensuring the safe relocation of the population with full compensation for property owners.

It recalled that the construction of the Mesochora HPP, located on the upper Acheloos River, started in 1986 and that the dam structure was largely finished by 2001. However, its operation was halted due to repeated appeals and long-standing legal battles at the Council of State, the country’s supreme administrative court, initiated by environmental groups and affected local communities.

Over EUR 300 million has already been invested in the project

Now a task force has been established to push forward the project and start the final construction activities by the end of 2026. The expropriation process for all necessary areas will also begin to ensure the safe and efficient functioning of the dam, the ministry underlined.

Of note, over EUR 300 million has already been invested in the project or EUR 500 million in current value.

Once operational, the plant is expected to generate approximately 360 GWh of renewable energy annually, contributing substantially to the country’s energy mix and the targets set by the revised National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), according to the ministry.

The HPP would also provide balancing for renewable energy generation.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou, Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou, Mayor of Pyli Konstantinos Maravas, members of Parliament representing Trikala – Konstantinos Skrekas, Thanasis Lioutas and Katerina Papakosta-Palioura, the ministry’s General Secretary of Spatial Planning and Urban Environment Efthimios Bakogiannis and the PPC’s President and CEO Georgios Stassis and Deputy CEO Alexios Paizis.

greece Mesochora hydropower ppc relocation study
Photo: Ministry of Environment and Energy
Post Views:79
December 2, 2025
by in News

Premier Energy acquires 400 MWh battery energy storage project

Premier Energy has acquired a project for a 400 MWh battery energy storage system at a site near Iași, Romania’s third-largest city.

Premier Energy Group has announced the acquisition of 100% of a ready-to-build project for a battery energy storage system (BESS).

The planned power input and output is 200 MW, while the energy storage capacity would be 400 MWh.

Premier Energy Group is an electricity producer, distributor and supplier as well as natural gas distributor and supplier in Romania and Moldova. It owns and operates a total capacity of 1,100 MW.

The investment is estimated at EUR 75 million

The company has 328 MW in renewable energy projects under construction and in the pipeline.

Premier Energy revealed that the total development and construction cost of the battery near Iași is estimated at EUR 75 million. The firm’s management is currently in advanced discussions on financing options for the project, the update reads.

It expects to secure a long-term financial structure, while the BESS project would be commissioned in late 2026 or early 2027.

Garza: It will be among the largest battery plants in Southeastern Europe

In a market characterized by significant 15-minute price fluctuations and an increasing number of prosumers, the facility will enhance flexibility, reduce system costs and support the efficient integration of renewable generation, the company underscored.

According to José Garza, Premier Energy Group CEO, the project aligns naturally with its strategy of building a more flexible, integrated electricity platform in Romania.

“Its scale places it among the largest battery plants in Southeastern Europe, and it will support the market by helping to alleviate intraday price volatility, improve grid stability and complement our renewable production and supply activities,” he added.

Stohr: Large-scale storage enhances the efficiency of the entire value chain

Peter Stohr, Premier Energy Group CFO, explained that large-scale storage enhances the efficiency of the entire value chain, from production to supply, and creates important synergies with the company’s existing portfolio.

“We are already engaged in discussions with a major CEE financial institution regarding the project’s financing, and we are confident that this asset will integrate seamlessly into our broader energy platform,” he stated.

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November 8, 2025
by in News

Romania to roll out flexibility market where you get paid to consume less power

Companies and, eventually, households will be able to participate in the Romanian flexibility services market, getting compensated for cutting their electricity use at a time scheduled one day earlier. The aim is to prevent power outages during peak loads in the transmission grid.

The National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) of Romania published a draft regulation that would allow payments to electricity consumers – companies or, in the future, even households – for temporarily reducing their consumption. The mechanism is called the consumption flexibility service. Its purpose is to balance the grid and prevent power outages during peak consumption.

Romania’s transmission system operator Transelectrica would be able to purchase consumption reduction services from market participants: large companies, suppliers and aggregators. They would commit to temporarily limiting energy use.

Demand response also replaces expensive emergency power imports.

Day-ahead market for demand response

Transelectrica will schedule the service through auctions organized a day earlier. Market participants would be able to bid with available consumption capacity reductions and prices.

The proposed regulation requires providers or aggregators to transfer at least half of the revenues to their end customers who contributed to the consumption cut.

Renewable electricity production – especially solar – has increased significantly over the previous years. During the day, Romania sometimes produces more energy than it consumes, but in the evening, when people return home and consumption increases sharply, production no longer covers demand.

The trend is known as the duck curve, per the shape of the daily chart of demand and solar power production. It leads to imbalances and bolsters the risk of grid overload. Through flexibility services, Transelectrica will be able to shave the peaks.

Households to eventually join through their aggregators

In the first stage, the mechanism will involve large consumers such as factories, retail chains, logistics operators and office buildings. They would be able to bid with a minimum of 500 kW. Households could join at some point through so-called flexibility aggregators.

It is also important that demand response decreases balancing costs, which spill over to electricity bills.

The draft regulation is undergoing a public consultation process until December 3. According to the schedule, the flexibility market will be established in the spring.

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October 31, 2025
by in News

Enery, SmartPulse launch regional partnership for multi-market optimization

Austrian green energy producer Enery and Turkish software company SmartPulse have entered a strategic partnership to deliver advanced solutions for the management and trading of renewable energy and storage assets. The collaboration aims to amplify market results for renewable energy producers and battery owners, while strengthening integration into the regional energy markets.

Enery Portfolio Optimization (EPO) – the licensed power trader of Enery managing a portfolio of over 750 MW of renewables assets and 700 MWh of battery capacity, will enhance its services through SmartPulse’s multi-market optimization platform, which automates trading, delivers real-time dispatch, and provides analytics and forecasting. The Turkish software company’s services coupled with EPO’s market know-how accelerate revenue growth and strengthen financial outcomes, according to the announcement.

The combined offering will be available for standalone and co-located storage assets on the Romanian market as part of a wider regional partnership. The platform aims to ensure the highest profitability from day-ahead, intraday and ancillary services markets, while ensuring the optimal physical dispatch of the asset, the Austrian company pointed out.

Balancing group members gain access to market opportunities

The service captures the full spectrum of financial arbitrage opportunities, reserve and balancing energy market participation to maximize revenue potential, Enery added. By joining its balancing group, renewables producers and battery storage owners gain access to all markets opportunities, reduced balancing costs, and 24/7 monitoring and trading through an artificial intelligence–powered platform, the update reads.

The offering in Romania will be part of a wider regional partnership

“Our international expertise in storage and renewables optimisation combined with SmartPulse’s innovative platform allows us to be more flexible and deliver tailored solutions for each asset. This partnership ensures that our Romanian clients will receive the highest quality services and optimised profitability from their assets,” said Enery’s Head of Energy Trading Petya Dimova.

Romania is among most dynamic power markets in Europe

The two companies stressed that they are bringing international experience and know-how in optimizing the value of large-scale renewables and storage assets to the Romanian market. The joint approach ensures clients can focus on business development, operations, and maintenance, while entrusting the financial realization of their electricity to expert hands, they said.

“Romania is one of the most dynamic power markets in Europe, and we are proud to make it a priority in our growth journey. By partnering with Enery, we bring our technology together with their strong local expertise to deliver advanced optimization and trading solutions,” Head of Global Growth at SmartPulse Uygar Yörük stated.

Enery, an independent power producer, operates a diversified portfolio of 511 MW and has 212 MW under construction. Its development pipeline amounts to almost 10 GW across 10 countries in Central and Eastern Europe. In the region that Balkan Green Energy News covers, the company is active in Romania, Bulgaria and Slovenia.

SmartPulse, founded in 2018 in Istanbul, focuses on short-term power trading automation. The firm has just been acquired by Volue.

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October 14, 2025
by in News

Croatian IE-Energy, Slovenia’s NGEN plan virtual network of smart battery storage systems

Croatian firm IE-Energy and Slovenia’s NGEN are developing a battery system for smart energy storage, with a total operating power of 60 MW and a capacity of 120 MWh. The project, valued at 60 million, marks the first step toward creating a virtual network of battery storage systems that would connect producers and consumers of renewable energy.

The project has received a EUR 19.8 million grant from the European Union’s Modernization Fund. The funds are intended for the second and crucial phase of the project, for 50 MW, while the first phase, of 10 MW, is already in an advanced stage of implementation, Croatia’s Ministry of Economy stated following the signing of the subsidy contract.

The project, located in the Croatian city of Šibenik, is expected to be completed as early as next year, according to the statement.

IE-Energy CEO Željko Šmitran told Balkan Green Energy News it would be the first battery energy storage system in Croatia connected to the transmission grid. The project is being implemented in partnership with NGEN, which is also the main engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor.

The battery modules used are Tesla Megapacks, which enable real-time grid balancing, he added. 

The virtual smart energy storage network will connect renewable power plants, industry, and households

The project represents the first step towards creating a virtual network of smart energy storage facilities that will connect renewable energy producers, industry, and households, Šmitran explained.

The entire project is connected to NGEN’s advanced technology platform, which enables participation in the markets for ancillary services, balancing, and intraday trading, as well as electricity supply, added Šmitran.

Developing a regional smart storage network

The model developed in Croatia in collaboration with NGEN is intended to be replicated in other regional markets where grid flexibility and system stability are in high demand, including Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia, Šmitran said.

The objective is to build a regional model of smart battery storage facilities and energy communities that will ensure sustainable, reliable, and independent energy supply across Southeast Europe in the long term, he said.

In its statement, the Ministry of Economy also said that the project in Šibenik paves the way for advanced grid services, such as virtual inertia for grid stabilization.

Post Views:99
October 9, 2025
by in News

Romania’s Hidroelectrica to equip hydropower plants with battery storage

Romanian state-owned power utility Hidroelectrica will install storage on all its run-of-river hydropower plants, to be able to switch the supply of surplus electricity to the evening peak, according to interim CEO Bogdan Nicolae Badea.

Hybrid power plants are all the rage. Two- and even three-way combinations between batteries and solar and wind power plants have become more and more popular over the past few years, as they enable steadier and more predictable supply. But energy storage can have a meaningful role in tandem with hydropower as well, and interim President of the Board of Directors of Hidroelectrica Bogdan Nicolae Badea revealed plans for such investments.

Namely, impoundment hydroelectric plants control the flow from the reservoir through the dam, so much of their production can be adjusted to demand. Run-of-river facilities can store little to no water, which is why the Romanian state-owned hydropower plant operator intends to add energy storage to its entire operational portfolio in the segment, Badea explained.

Goal is to lower daily price spreads at power exchange

The idea is to switch the supply of electricity from times of surplus within the day to the evening peak, the interim CEO stressed at the Profit Energy.forum. There are seven to eight slots a day at the electricity exchange with very low or negative prices, and others with excessive prices, Badea pointed out.

“Even in free market conditions and affected by external crises, the cost borne by consumers could be somewhat lower than today if Romania had energy storage capacities, so that daily consumption peaks are in balance with production peaks,” the interim CEO underscored.

Price caps hurting Romanian state budget

Romania caps power prices, which harms the state budget, Badea noted and said there are two ways to achieve a balance.

“The first solution is a systemic one – and here all the important participants in the energy sector must invest – and Hidroelectrica is doing this, investing primarily in diversification. We have a wind farm in operation today. We are investing a lot in the storage area and we are trying to combine renewable sources, hydro, photovoltaics, floating photovoltaics,” he stated.

Hidroelectrica signed a contract in April with a consortium of Romanian companies Prime Batteries Technology and Enevo Group, for a lithium ion battery energy storage system at its Crucea Nord wind farm.

Hidroelectrica is investing in storage, solar power and hybrid power plant projects

The company also plans to integrate a BESS with hydropower plant Iron Gate 2 (Porţile de Fier 2) on the Danube. The project is valued at EUR 61.2 million. Some hydropower plants are set to be equipped with rooftop photovoltaic systems.

Badea was also the company chief from 2017 to 2023. He was recently reappointed, after he was the chief investment officer for almost two years.

For the first six months of this year, hydrological data shows a situation reminiscent of the critical moment when the company entered insolvency, in 2015, Badea added. However, unlike that period, today Hidroelectrica is a profitable, stable company and a pillar of the energy system, he stressed.

Post Views:28