Berlin is preparing for a potential gas emergency by filling one of Europe’s largest heat storage facilities. The massive “thermos flask” has a volume of around 56 million liters, equivalent to 350,000 bathtubs, and will provide private and commercial properties with district heating in the event of a gas shortage. The facility is being filled at the Reuter power plant in Berlin-Spandau by Vattenfall, as Germany faces the possibility of a gas emergency due to a lack of Russian deliveries in the coming months.
The “thermos flask” is 45 meters high and 43 meters wide, and can hold up to 56 million liters of water. When there is an excess of renewable energy from solar and wind power plants, the water in the heat storage facility is heated to almost boiling point. When heat is required, the hot water can be distributed through the district heating network in the city. The facility has a thermal output of 200 megawatts and can provide heat for up to 13 hours, even in very cold weather conditions.
The project has cost around 50 million euros and is set to begin commercial operation in April 2023, with the initial filling of the heat storage facility starting in July 2022. The water must be degassed and partially desalinated to prevent wear and tear on the Berlin district heating network. The Vattenfall Wärme Berlin AG can supply a third of the city’s buildings with district heating through over 2,000 kilometers of pipeline. The heat storage facility is a crucial investment in ensuring the city’s energy security and resilience in the face of potential gas shortages.
