As part of the NETfficient project, scientists are developing and testing a range of smart storage technologies for different types of renewable energy on the North Sea island of Borkum. Borkum is an island and a municipality in the Leer District in Lower Saxony, northwestern Germany. The project includes second-life electric vehicle batteries, lithium-ion batteries, ultracapacitors, hydrogen fuel cells and a hybrid energy storage system. The aim is to help Borkum to become energy self-sufficient. The project is supported by EU funding and it is intended for subsequent transfer to other regions.
The solutions developed under the project are thus tested in real-life situations on Borkum. 40 residential and 5 public buildings, including the aquarium, are being equipped with solar energy generation units, electricity meters and energy storage systems. Installation of solar panels, smart meters and batteries allows solar energy generated during the day to be used for street lighting at night. Development of a management and decision support tool involves everyone from producers and local authorities to consumers. This helps overcome barriers to launching local energy storage systems. In addition, it enables end users to move into the energy market as prosumers – consumers who are also producers.
