Total to help stabilize the French power grid with new battery-based energy storage system

Total to help stabilize the French power grid with new battery-based energy storage system

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 13-Mar-2020 — /EuropaWire/ — Total announces investment of around €15 million for the largest battery-based energy storage project in France. The new lithium-ion energy storage system will be constructed in Mardyck, at the Flandres Center, in Dunkirk’s port district. The project will have a storage capacity of 25 megawatt hours (MWh) and output of 25 MW of power. It will provide fast reserve services to support the stability of the French power grid. It is part of government policy to support the development of electrical capacity through capacity mechanisms.

The project will be based on Saft’s Intensium Max 20 High Energy solution and will comprise 11 integrated 2.3 MWh containers, designed and manufactured at Saft’s production site in Bordeaux. The battery-based energy storage system is scheduled to be commissioned in late 2020.

“This project is part of Total’s strategy to develop the stationary energy storage solutions that are critical to the expansion of renewable energy, which is intermittent by nature. It will contribute toward the goal of increasing the share of renewables in France’s energy mix, while helping to stabilize the domestic power grid. Total’s involvement in the electricity segment continues to expand. With more than 40% of the storage capacities allocated, Total was the leading winner of the first call for tenders organized by RTE (France’s Electricity Transmission Network). This success was made possible thanks to the competencies of Total Flex, renewable energy aggregation expert, and Saft, the European leader in batteries for energy storage,” stated Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of Total.

Total and Low-Carbon Electricity

As part of its ambition to become the responsible energy major, Total is building a portfolio of low-carbon electricity operations, with the objective of seeing them account for 15 to 20% of its sales mix by 2040. Today, Total’s gross low-carbon power generation capacity is close to 7 gigawatts, of which more than 3 gigawatts from renewable energy sources.

About Saft

Saft specializes in advanced technology battery solutions for industry, from design and development to production, customization and service provision. For 100 years, Saft’s longer-lasting batteries and systems have provided critical safety applications, back-up power and propulsion for our customers. Our innovative, safe and reliable technology delivers high performance on land, at sea, in the air and in space. Saft is powering industry and smarter cities, while providing critical back-up functionality in remote and harsh environments like the Arctic Circle and the Sahara Desert. Saft is a wholly-owned affiliate of Total.

About Total

Total is a major energy player that produces and markets fuels, natural gas and low-carbon electricity. Our 100,000 employees are committed to better energy that is safer, more affordable, cleaner and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, our ambition is to become the responsible energy major.

For more information, please contact:

Total contacts

Media Relations: +33 1 47 44 46 99 l presse@total.com l @TotalPress
Investor Relations: +44 (0)207 719 7962 l ir@total.com

Saft contacts

Karen Hollington : +33 1 58 63 16 60, e-mail : karen.hollington@saftbatteries.com
Diana Mejia : +33 1 58 63 16 92, e-mail : diana.mejia@saftbatteries.com

SOURCE: Total