BESS systems: Lithuania's battery boost for the energy transition

Countries around the world are facing the challenge of integrating renewable energies efficiently into their power grids. Wind and solar energy are green, but they are also highly volatile. mtu battery energy storage systems (BESS) from Rolls-Royce enable excess energy to be stored and fed back into the grid when needed – ensuring that the energy supply remains stable even when there is too little or too much wind.

Three new battery parks are also set to be built in Lithuania, a country that aims to build seven gigawatts of green energy capacity by 2030.The Ignitis Group is building battery parks near Kelmė, Mažeikiai, and Kruonis with a combined output of 291 megawatts (MW) and a storage capacity of 582 megawatt hours (MWh). These facilities are among the first large-scale battery storage projects in Lithuania and are intended to help orchestrate the energy transition harmoniously.

Why Ignitis chose Rolls-Royce

Ignitis Group was not just looking for a cost-effective solution, but for the best technology available. “We wanted a partner who not only offers innovative solutions, but also has a deep understanding of the challenges of energy storage,” explains Algirdas Dučinskas, Head of Energy Storage at Ignitis Group. “Rolls-Royce impressed us with its technical expertise and systematic approach – like a conductor with perfect timing.”

mtu EnergetIQ: The pacemaker in the battery park

A central component of the Rolls-Royce solution is the EnergetIQ Manager. This intelligent control system not only manages the three battery parks, but also the connected wind farms. Close integration is crucial, as this is the only way to keep the system running smoothly even in changing weather conditions and during load changes.

“mtu EnergetIQ is the brain and nerve actuator of the plant and controls the interaction of all components,” explains Armin Fürderer, Vice President customer solutions Battery Systems at Rolls-Royce. Rolls-Royce's strength lies not only in supplying high-quality hardware, but also in its ability to connect all systems into a coordinated whole. In Lithuania, the mtu EnergetIQ manager ensures that wind turbines and battery storage systems work together as an ensemble.

“Without this control system, the system would be unstable and inefficient,” says Armin Fürderer.

Technical expertise meets transparency

During the project, Rolls-Royce experts answered over 100 technical questions from the customer. “Ignitis was impressed by our ability to openly communicate not only the possibilities but also the limitations of the system,” the expert continued. This openness helped to plan the system realistically and tailor it precisely to the requirements – like a well-written musical score.

Forecasts instead of surprises: making operations predictable

Another plus point is the integrated forecasting system, which analyzes weather, grid, and operating data to predict future load profiles and feed-in.

This allows battery operation to be optimally controlled – with clear specifications for performance, service life, and cost-effectiveness.

The system detects early on how the condition of the battery changes over time – for example, due to aging or capacity losses – and thus enables more precise warranty conditions and more efficient use throughout the entire life cycle.

Ignitis placed great emphasis on flexibility, support, and cybersecurity. Rolls-Royce not only offered comprehensive training, but also customized service agreements. “Our experience in safety-critical areas such as defense gave Ignitis the confidence it needed,” explains Armin Fürderer.

This means that the system not only maintains balance in the moment, but also stays on track in the long term.