The smarter E AWARD 2025 Recognition For Hybrid Storage System In Austria

Key takeaways: 

• The Theiß project in Austria integrates a 3.1 MW PV system, 5 MW/6 MWh battery storage, and the country’s largest thermal storage facility 

• A flexibility management platform supports balancing services and energy trading, including FCR, aFRR, and mFRR 

• The hybrid system, combined with a biomass plant, reduces dependence on auxiliary gas boilers

The Theiß Hybrid Storage System, a collaborative project involving TU Wien, the Austrian Institute of Technology, EVN, and CyberGrid, was nominated as one of the finalists of The smarter E AWARD 2025 under the Outstanding Projects category. 

The project, located in Theiß, Austria, is supported by CyberGrid’s flexibility management platform, CyberNoc – a software solution that integrates and monetizes distributed energy assets across electricity markets. This solution won The smarter E AWARD 2024 in the ‘Smart Integrated Energy’ category. 

The hybrid storage system project combines a 3.1 MW PV system with an electrical storage system of 5 MW/6 MWh and a thermal storage unit with a 5 MWh energy capacity. The battery storage unit, consisting of 4 subsystems with an integrated inverter, uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells. The thermal storage unit utilizes a converted oil tank that can hold 50,000 m³ of hot water for district heating, reportedly the largest facility of its kind in Austria. When there is surplus electricity generation, the electric heating system is activated and the energy is stored in the thermal storage unit. During peak demand, the battery storage is used to supply electricity needs. According to the project partners, this setup, in combination with a biomass plant, has significantly reduced the need for auxiliary gas boilers. 

The flexibility management platform supporting this hybrid project enables balancing fluctuations and energy trading services. The software provides Frequency Control Reserve (FCR), Automatic Frequency Restoration Reserve (aFRR), and Manual Frequency Restoration Reserve (mFRR), either individually or in combination. It also allows intraday trading by selling excess power generation during peak hours.