Augwind unveils commercial AirBattery in Germany

Israel-based Augwind to deploy energy storage system in Germany

CleanTechnica has reported that Israel’s Augwind Energy will construct the world’s first commercial-scale AirBattery energy storage system in Germany.

The project will use compressed air stored in underground salt caverns to provide electricity during periods of low renewable generation.

This type of long-duration energy storage is designed to complement intermittent energy sources like wind and solar.

The compressed air will be generated using surplus renewable energy from the grid.

Or Yogev, Founder and CEO of Augwind Energy, discussed the initiative with CleanTechnica in a recent interview.

The system will store energy for several months

The company explained that the AirBattery will be able to store compressed air for up to several months.

Yogev said: “We can store energy for up to several months – a game-changing capability for addressing Germany’s ‘Dunkelflaute’ periods when solar and wind output is low.

“Our system has unlimited duration potential, limited only by the volume of the cavern itself.

“This long-duration storage capability is exactly what Europe needs as renewable energy penetration exceeds 50%.”

The compressed air is stored in solution-mined salt caverns, which are naturally airtight due to their density and pressure.

Yogev said: “The salt in the deep underground is highly condensed and pressurised by the weight above it.

“It is so dense that it is completely airtight.

“This unique characteristic has led to the use of solution mined salt caverns for safely storing compressed natural gas for over half a century.”

Installation timeline and turbine generation capacity

The AirBattery system will require between 9–12 months for installation and an additional 3–6 months for commissioning once permitting is finalised.

The facility will include 3 or 4 turbines, capable of generating between 3–10 MW of electricity on average.

Yogev said: “The turbines will be similar to the highly efficient Voith Hydro turbine currently operating in our demonstration site.”

To improve power quality and responsiveness, the system will be integrated with lithium-ion batteries.

Yogev added: “We couple the system with short-duration lithium-ion batteries for ancillary services and to provide a high-quality power profile.”

While the startup speed is slower than lithium-ion, the integration allows rapid deployment when needed.

Commercial model and system costs

The total cost of the first module will depend on the specific cavern selected and is expected to range between €7 million and €15 million.

AirBattery’s projected cost per kilowatt-hour for multiweek storage is estimated at 10–15 USD.

Yogev said: “Our AirBattery technology offers exceptionally competitive economics at 10–15 USD per kWh for multiweek duration storage.

“This cost-effectiveness, combined with our minimal environmental footprint and use of locally sourced materials rather than critical minerals, makes AirBattery the clear choice for Germany’s energy transition needs.”

The system is designed to work with wind and solar electricity that would otherwise be curtailed due to grid oversupply.

Augwind intends for this approach to reduce reliance on imported energy sources.

Yogev explained: “We’re taking excess renewable electricity that would otherwise be wasted during periods of oversupply and storing it for when Germany needs it most.”

Deployment partners and market role

The company is currently finalising partnerships with various stakeholders including energy traders, utilities, cavern owners, and industrial customers.

Although the names of participating partners have not yet been confirmed, Augwind says that demand from the German energy market has been strong.

Yogev said: “Our goal is to become Europe’s preferred partner for multiweek storage solutions, and this German launch will demonstrate that long-term energy storage is not only technically feasible but economically sound.”

The project’s final capacity will depend on the specific geological site selected.

Each AirBattery cavern could store compressed air equivalent to 3–8 GWh of electrical output, according to the company.

The exact figure for the first site has not yet been confirmed.

Germany to install first commercial AirBattery system: Summary

Augwind Energy has announced plans to build a commercial AirBattery system in Germany.

The system will store compressed air in underground salt caverns to generate electricity.

Air will be compressed using surplus wind and solar energy.

The company said each unit may store 3–8 GWh depending on site conditions.

Compressed air can be stored for several months.

The project cost will range between €7 million and €15 million.

The installation phase will last 9–12 months, followed by 3–6 months for commissioning.

The system will use 3 or 4 turbines generating 3–10 MW.

Lithium-ion batteries will support the system for ancillary services.

Projected storage cost is 10–15 USD per kWh.

No specific customers have yet been named.

The project aims to support Germany’s long-duration storage needs.