Germany to Build the World's First Commercial-Scale AirBattery Using Underground Salt Caverns

 

Germany to Build the World's First Commercial-Scale AirBattery Using Underground Salt Caverns

Germany will host the world's first commercial-scale AirBattery, a long-duration energy storage system developed by Israeli company Augwind Energy. The project is expected to begin operation in 2027–2028 and is designed to store renewable electricity for weeks or even months.

Unlike lithium-ion batteries, the AirBattery does not rely on electrochemical cells. Instead, it uses Hydraulic Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES), where surplus wind and solar electricity compresses air into underground salt caverns. When electricity demand rises, the compressed air is released to drive turbines and generate power.

Germany is an ideal location because it has more than 400 suitable underground salt caverns with an estimated storage potential of about 330 TWh. A single cavern can typically store enough compressed air to generate between 3 and 8 GWh of electricity, making the system suitable for grid-scale energy storage.

The AirBattery uses no lithium, cobalt, nickel, or rare earth metals. Augwind estimates storage costs of about $10–$15 per kWh for long-duration storage, while the underground infrastructure is expected to operate for around 40 years with minimal degradation. The company also expects commercial systems to achieve more than 60% round-trip efficiency.

The project aims to help stabilize Germany's renewable-powered electricity grid during periods of low wind and solar generation. If successful, it could become a model for long-duration energy storage across Europe, complementing conventional batteries rather than replacing them.

Electrical Technology