One of Finland’s largest electricity storage systems commissioned – Helen and Evli bring more flexibility to the energy system
Helen Ltd and Evli Fund Management Company Ltd’s renewable energy fund, Evli Renewable Energy Infrastructure Fund II, have completed a major electricity storage project in Nurmijärvi. The lithium-ion-based storage facility is now operational. With a power capacity of over 40 megawatts and an energy capacity exceeding 80 megawatt-hours, it is one of the largest in Finland.
The Nurmijärvi electricity storage system provides much-needed flexibility to an energy system where electricity must be produced in real time to match consumption. The rapid growth of wind power has increased the need for solutions that balance fluctuations in production and consumption, as Finland’s electricity system is increasingly dependent on weather conditions.
“Over the past few years, the energy sector has invested heavily in renewable energy, replacing fossil-based generation with wind and solar power. Renewable energy needs battery storage alongside it to bring stability to the electricity system and markets. The Nurmijärvi electricity storage facility is a concrete step toward a more flexible energy system,” says Pekka Tolonen, VP Power Generation at Helen.
Evli acts as a co-investor and developer in the project. The electricity storage facility is part of Evli’s renewable energy fund strategy to invest in infrastructure that supports the green transition.
“The Nurmijärvi electricity storage system contributes to maintaining grid stability. These are exactly the kinds of projects we want to invest in: combining advanced technology, an attractive market outlook, and support for the green transition. Our fund’s strategy is not only to promote renewable electricity generation but also infrastructure that integrates clean energy more efficiently into the power system,” says Antti Jaakonsaari, Portfolio Manager of Evli Renewable Energy Infrastructure Fund II.
The lithium-ion-based storage system consists of 36 large container-sized battery modules connected to the national grid near Fingrid Oyj’s transmission network. The facility balances Finland’s electricity production and consumption by participating in the Nord Pool energy market and Fingrid’s reserve markets.
The Nurmijärvi project continues Helen’s previous flexibility investments. At the Lakiakangas wind farm, a 5-megawatt and a 10-megawatt-hour electricity storage system is already in operation, and another storage facility is under construction at the Lohja solar park.