© BMWE, data from the Core Energy Market Data Register analysed by RWTH Aachen University

New energy storage for Germany

As the share of renewable energy in the power grid continues to grow, so does the need for efficient electricity storage. In 2024, battery storage systems in Germany grew by approximately 50 percent compared to the previous year.

In 2024, the number, output, and storage capacity of battery systems in Germany grew by around 50% compared to the previous year. At the beginning of January 2025, Germany reported a total of 18.2 GWh in stationary battery storage systems. Of this, 15.8 GWh came from home storage systems, 2.8 GWh from utility-scale storage, and 775 MWh from commercial storage. These figures are taken from the latest Battery Charts by RWTH Aachen University, based on the Federal Network Agency’s Core Energy Market Data Register.

^{Storage systems for different needs}

Battery storage systems in Germany serve a variety of purposes depending on their scale. Home storage systems are primarily used to maximise the use of self-generated solar power, helping households become more energy independent. Commercial storage solutions, in turn, are used for the self-consumption of solar energy whilst also reducing peak energy demand and enabling rapid charging of electric vehicles. At the utility level, large-scale storage systems – originally developed to provide balancing power to regulate grid frequency – are now increasingly being deployed for electricity trading. Looking ahead, these systems are expected to become essential for integrating large photovoltaic and wind farms into the grid and for optimising energy management in industrial operations.

^{Why storage capacity matters}

When it comes to battery storage, both power output and energy capacity are critical. Think of a storage unit as a swimming pool: the power output is like the size of the hose filling the pool, while the capacity is the total volume of the pool. Traditionally, battery systems delivered power for about one hour – like a pool that fills in an hour. Today, four-hour systems are being developed, capable of storing more renewable energy over longer periods. These systems are particularly valuable for managing peak demand and improving grid stability.

In March 2025, Germany’s largest battery storage system – located in Bollingstedt, Schleswig-Holstein – was connected to the grid. It delivers 103.5 megawatts of power and has an energy capacity of 238 megawatt-hours. The expansion of electricity storage is a key component of Germany’s energy transition. While there is currently no direct public funding available for building battery storage systems, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy supports this growth through its Electricity Storage Strategy.