Thermal energy storage potential for the state of Berlin
The transformation of Berlin's heating sector is crucial to achieving the climate targets of the Berliner Energie- und Klimaschutzgesetz. The heating sector accounts for 47 percent of CO2 emissions and the heat planning required by 2026 emphasizes the importance of heat storage. Seasonal heat storage reduces the discrepancy between surplus heat in summer and the higher heat demand in winter and reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
Calculations for the Berlin grid show that long-term heat storage systems with a storage capacity of up to 1,200 GWh could make a forecast output of 700 MW from renewable energies and waste heat fully usable. This would increase the share of renewable heat from 49.5 percent to 61 percent.
Heat storage systems are currently hardly economically feasible for district grids without subsidies, but could become more profitable with rising energy prices and subsidies. Particularly in combination with heat pumps and electric heaters, heat storage systems can help to reduce heat generation costs.
The availability of space in Berlin is low due to competing uses. A lack of space is a major obstacle for tank and pit thermal energy storages in existing districts. There are fewer problems with underground aquifer thermal energy storages. Here, uncertainties in licensing law make implementation more difficult. There is a need to identify potential areas and clarify the legal framework.
Calculations in the project show that heat storage facilities are a central component of the heat transition in Berlin, as they contribute to climate neutrality, reduce heat generation costs and increase the flexibility of the energy system. Six measures have been developed to promote the use of heat storage systems in Berlin, including the optimization of administrative processes and the sharpening of the legal framework. In the long term, heat storage systems are to become part of Berlin's district and local heating networks in order to relieve the strain on electricity grids and make the energy supply more sustainable and flexible.
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