The world’s largest flow battery energy storage system is under construction in Switzerland
In the Swiss town of Laufenburg, located at the intersection of the borders of Switzerland, Germany, and France, a groundbreaking energy project is taking shape: the Technology Center Laufenburg (TZL). This ambitious initiative not only represents a record-breaking flow battery (redox) energy storage system but also signifies a pivotal shift in Europe’s energy landscape.
800 MW / 1.6 GWh – A New Benchmark for Energy Storage
The project entails the establishment of an energy storage facility with a remarkable output of 800 MW and a capacity of 1,600 MWh, setting new standards both in Europe and globally. To put this into perspective, the largest operational redox flow battery to date is located in China, with a power output of 175 MW and a capacity of 700 MWh. The Laufenburg project is being developed by FlexBase Group in collaboration with Erne Group, with construction commencing in May 2025. The structural framework is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, with commercial operations set to begin in the summer of 2028. The facility aims to reach its full operational capacity by 2030, at which point it will not only be the largest redox flow battery in the world but also a vital energy and data management hub for Europe.
Redox Instead of Lithium
The foundation of this project lies in redox flow batteries, which utilize liquid electrolytes (typically based on vanadium or bromine) containing up to 75% water for energy storage. This technology is renowned for its safety (non-flammable and non-explosive) and its suitability for long-duration energy storage. FlexBase highlights that economies of scale favor this initiative: a larger storage facility translates to a lower unit cost for stored energy, allowing it to compete with the increasingly popular lithium-ion technologies.
Laufenburg – The Heart of the European Energy System
Laufenburg was chosen for its historical significance as a key energy hub. In the 1950s, it was home to the pioneering “Laufenburg Star” substation, the first to integrate the power systems of Switzerland, Germany, and France. Today, it boasts 41 transmission lines and plays a crucial role in cross-border energy exchange. The new storage facility will connect directly to this infrastructure, enabling opportunities for cross-border energy trading (market arbitrage), reactive power compensation, grid support during peak demand, and emergency power supply for local digital infrastructure.
AI, Waste Heat, and Sustainability
The investment in TZL extends beyond energy storage. An essential component of the center will be a data center designed to support AI applications, which will be cooled using water. The waste heat generated from computational processes will be redirected into the local district heating network. This integration of energy, digital, and thermal systems positions Laufenburg as a model for multifunctional energy hubs that combine IT infrastructure, renewable energy, energy storage, and local heating systems.
Private Investors and Academic Support
The estimated cost of the project is around €1 billion, funded by private investors, including family-owned businesses from Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein, along with support from universities and technology firms. This funding model reflects a growing interest among institutional investors in long-duration energy storage technologies as stable and scalable infrastructure assets.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/switzerland-to-host-worlds-largest-flow-battery-energy-storage-system-in-laufenburg/
