Key takeaways:
Fluence and DTEK deployed a 200 MW / 400 MWh battery storage portfolio across 6 sites in Ukraine
The systems can provide emergency electricity to approximately 600,000 households for up to 2 hours
The project combines grid-forming, black-start, and virtual inertia functions with cybersecurity measures to support grid resilience
Energy infrastructure is a usual target of attacks in any conflict, increasing the need for flexible and decentralized energy resources. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) can help maintain grid stability by providing frequency regulation, load balancing, and emergency power during supply disruptions.
Fluence, a Siemens and AES company, has been named as a finalist for The smarter E AWARD 2026 in the Outstanding Projects category. In collaboration with DTEK, an energy storage project was commissioned in 6 facilities across Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk in Ukraine. This €125 million investment project can power 600,000 homes for 2 hours.
The DTEK-Fluence project comprises 6 storage facilities with a combined capacity of 200 MW / 400 MWh. The facilities range from 20 MW to 50 MW each. This project was delivered within a relatively short time of 6 months. These facilities also support grid operations through frequency regulation and load balancing services.
One important aspect of this project is the use of AI-supported remote commissioning. The systems utilize grid-forming capabilities, black-start feature, and virtual inertia that help stabilize the grid within milliseconds.
The project incorporates cybersecurity measures to protect the energy infrastructure from digital threats. According to DTEK, these systems were connected to the grid ahead of the 2025-2026 winter season, a time when reliable electricity is a key priority.
The DTEK-Fluence project demonstrates that BESS is emerging not only to support the integration of renewable energy but also to improve grid resilience under challenging operating conditions such as wartime emergencies.