Max Boegl
Introduction
The Naturstromspeicher Gaildorf is an energy project under construction near Gaildorf (Baden-Württemberg). A naturstromspeicher is an installation that combines a wind farm with a reversible hydroelectric power station. The project was initially presented in September 2011[2] and its construction was officially started in April 2016, with the groundbreaking ceremony. The wind turbines were put into operation in December 2017, when they were connected to the electrical grid.[3] The reversible hydroelectric plant is scheduled to come into operation in 2020.[4].
Aim
The use of non-constant renewable energy sources that are incapable of adjusting to electrical demand leads to large daily variations in electricity production. This, in turn, leads to large surpluses, losses and even negative electricity prices.[5] Therefore, reversible hydroelectric plants, which allow energy to be stored during periods of surplus, are a valid alternative to counteract the variability of wind and solar energy while optimizing their use.[6] For this reason, the main objective of the project is to allow a reliable and stable supply of energy from unstable sources such as wind energy and solar energy.[7].
Financing
The project has an estimated cost of 75 million euros,[8] which will be financed mainly by the Max Bögl group). Citizens of the area, in part, can participate economically in the project through a cooperative.[9] Additionally, the federal government, through the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety "Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety (Germany)") has committed to contributing 7.15 million euros due to the pioneering and demonstrative nature of the project for other similar ones.[10].
Construction
wind farm
The wind farm consists of four wind turbines located in the mountain ranges of the Limpurger Berge" between the valleys of the rivers Kocher&action=edit&redlink=1 "Kocher (river) (not yet drawn up)") in the west and Eisbach&action=edit&redlink=1 "Eisbach (Kocher) (not yet drawn up)") in the east, near the town of Gaildorf. The wind turbines have a hub height of 178 m., a rotation diameter of 137 m and a nominal power of 3.4 MW. The annual energy generated is forecast at 42 GWh. Since the foundations are also used to impound water, they reach heights greater than 40 m. 246.5 meters (including a hub height of 178 meters),[11][12][13] until surpassed at the end of 2019.[14] The exact location and altitude of the four wind turbines is as follows:.