Neoen commissions 92 MW/183 MWh battery with grid-forming retrofit in France

French independent power producer Neoen has inaugurated the 92 MW/183 MWh Breizh Big Battery in Pleyber-Christ, in the Finistère department of Brittany. Neoen describes it as one of France’s most powerful battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Huawei and Equans were responsible for the battery’s construction and assembly. The project was completed in 18 months, with up to 50 people working on site.

The battery is participating in a trial led by French transmission system operator RTE to switch inverter operation from grid-following to grid-forming mode through a software retrofit, without changing the inverter hardware.

Grid-following battery systems synchronize with the voltage of the local electricity network. Grid-forming systems, by contrast, establish their own voltage and frequency references, allowing them to respond rapidly to disturbances and help stabilize the grid.

Neoen developed the Breizh Big Battery in consultation with the municipality of Pleyber-Christ. Public meetings and regular discussions with residents addressed local concerns and explained the role of electricity storage. Neoen has also committed to helping fund a municipal energy-transition project to install solar panels on the roof of the local sports hall.

The project is Neoen’s fourth BESS in France. The company is also building what it describes as the country’s largest battery, a 248 MW/496 MWh facility at Vernou-la-Celle-sur-Seine.

Since 2017, Neoen has developed a global battery portfolio totaling 3.5 GW/10.6 GWh of operational and under-construction capacity. Its projects include Australia’s 560 MW/2,240 MWh Collie Battery, described as the country’s largest operational battery, as well as Sweden’s 93.9 MW/93.9 MWh Isbillen Power Reserve and Finland’s 86.4 MW/142.9 MWh Yllikkälä Power Reserve, which Neoen identifies as the largest batteries in their respective Nordic markets.

From pv magazine France