Storengy and SkySails Power GmbH successfully advance high-altitude wind energy generation project
The ENGIE Group and SkySails Power GmbH achieve a key breakthrough for the progress of the "Aquilon" project.
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Storengy and SkySails Power GmbH successfully advance the energy generation project "Aquilon" to utilise high-altitude winds to supply the storage facility Peckensen with renewable energy.
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The positive preliminary evaluation of the project in accordance with the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) shows the high potential for realising the project and marks a significant step towards reducing the carbon footprint.
Berlin, 08.02.2024. ENGIE Group and SkySails Power GmbH are at the forefront of pioneering renewable energy solutions, having achieved a significant milestone in their collaborative efforts to harness high-altitude winds. The partners have received positive first feedback from local authorities for a pilot project designed to power the gas storage facility Peckensen with renewable energy from Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) and solar photovoltaic energy.
A key breakthrough in the project's progression was the favorable preliminary evaluation following the authorization procedure of the “Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz (BImSchG)”. It assesses the acceptability of the effects of a facility on people, animals, plants, ground, water, atmosphere, culture, and other protected goods in the relevant area. The positive result means that the local authorities see a high potential for the project to be implemented at the Peckensen location without negative effects.
This is the first positive BImSchG assessment for AWE facilities in the world. It is an important success for our project and another key step in our efforts to further reduce the carbon footprint of our underground storage facilities.
Christophe Merlo, Business Development Manager at Storengy Deutschland
The primary objective of the collaboration of the ENGIE subsidiaries Storengy and Laborelec with SkySails Power is to evaluate more sustainable, secure and resource-friendly energy supply solutions. For the gas storage Peckensen, a mix of AWE and solar energy in combination with a redox flow battery is planned to be realized in the project “Aquilon”. Notably, this project is funded by the European Union's innovation fund, underscoring its significance in advancing sustainable energy solutions.
"We're excited about the positive preliminary evaluation and glad to have ENGIE on board as a valued customer and partner in taking airborne wind energy to the next level. This is the first step to proving SkySails power systems can be authorized in Germany, following standard procedures," says Stephan Wrage, CEO and founder of SkySails.He points out that the potential for high-altitude wind energy is impressive in onshore locations where traditional wind turbines are not suitable: In Germany alone, the capacity reaches the order of dozens of gigawatts.
High-altitude wind energy has great potential to contribute to a shift towards sustainable energy.The evaluation is another step in implementing it into the mix of renewable energies in Germany.
Stephan Wrage, CEO and founder of SkySails
More information about the project “Aquilon”:
More information about the collaboration between ENGIE and SkySails Power.
ENGIE is a leading global group in low-carbon energy and services. With its 96,000 employees, its customers, its partners and its stakeholders, the Group is committed every day to accelerating the transition to a carbonneutral world, thanks to more energy-efficient and more environmentally-friendly solutions. Guided by its purpose, ENGIE reconciles economic performance and positive impact on people and the planet by relying on its key businesses (gas, renewable energies, services) to offer competitive solutions to its customers.
Laborelec, an entity of the ENGIE Group, is a leading centre of expertise and research in the area of electrical energy. Drawing on the skills of 370 specialist engineers and technicians, it provides operational support, technical consulting, and applied R&D services, operating across the entire electricity value chain. Its services support a wide range of customers in electricity generation, transmission, distribution, storage, and end-use, with a particular focus on the energy transition and net zero carbon. Laborelec, now part of ENGIE's Research & Innovation division, is a global player active in more than 60 countries.
Storengy Deutschland, a company of ENGIE Group, is one of the leading gas storage companies in Germany. With around 150 employees across Germany, we are a reliable partner for storage services: we plan, build and operate storage facilities and market their storage capacities. Our mission is to store climate-neutral energy in order to sustainably supply tomorrow's generations. Therefore, we are developing innovative solutions for storing hydrogen and renewable gases. The company's headquarters are in Berlin.
SkySails Power GmbH develops and markets systems for generating electricity from high-altitude wind - so called airborne wind energy systems. With this technology, SkySails can utilize the yet untapped power of high-altitude wind for the first time. SkySails Power GmbH is a fully owned subsidiary of SkySails Group GmbH. SkySails Group GmbH and its subsidiaries are headquartered in Hamburg/Germany. The Group employs around 100 people and operates a production facility in Seevetal, Lower Saxony, as well as a pilot plant for high-altitude wind energy in Klixbüll, Schleswig-Holstein.
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Contact
Christophe MerloBusiness Development Manager at Storengy Deutschland
christophe.merlo@storengy.de