Flexbase Begins Construction on 800 MW Flow Battery in Switzerland

In a major stride for energy storage in Europe, Flexbase Group has commenced construction of an 800 MW / 1.6 GWh redox flow battery system in Laufenburg, Switzerland, set to become one of the continent’s largest flow battery installations.

Construction work on what Flow Batteries Europe (FBE) is calling the world’s largest flow battery started this month at the strategic critical electrical grid interconnection point on the borders of Germany, France, and Switzerland. The site’s location is expected to enable the system to stabilise electricity flows across national borders.

Leaders from FBE and the FlexBase Group met in Laufenburg, Switzerland, marking the start of the construction phase. 

“The collaboration with FBE is an important step for our project and FlexBase as a company,” said Marcel Aumer, Group CEO, VRP and Co-founder of FlexBase Group.

“Building an 800 MW and 1.6 GWh flow-battery is something nobody has ever done before. Together as a team and with the knowledge of partners like FBE we’re creating a scalable model for managing renewable energy lulls across Europe”.

Commercial Operation by Summer 28

The Flexbase Group has started work on the project this month and is aiming to commission the project by the summer of 2028, which is in less than 3 years. The facility sits at the intersection of three countries’ transmission networks with 41 cross-border lines. 

The flow battery system in question will be able to store energy for hours or even days, to maintain grid stability during periods of low wind and solar output. 

Anthony Price, Secretary General of Flow Batteries Europe, stressed the need for regulatory frameworks that support long-duration storage technologies such as flow batteries. Studies by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) highlight that 351 TWh of long-duration storage may be required to navigate prolonged renewable energy shortfalls, even with cross-border grid interconnection.

The flow battery does not rely on the use of critical raw materials, which ensures energy storage security as well as energy security. In addition, owing to its water-based electrolytes and inherently stable chemistry, the system is free from fire risks. This allows data centres, offices, and staff facilities to safely operate within the same building.

Thus, flow batteries are a reliable alternative energy storage solution whose unique selling points (USPs) lie in their scalability, long cycle life, and safety. According to Markets and Markets research, the global flow battery market is anticipated to grow from USD 0.34 billion in 2024 to about USD 1.18 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 23 percent during  2024-30.