Pumped storage power plant in Coo-Trois-Ponts: Battery Energy Storage System ("BESS") to help the pumped storage power plant to supply the Elia grid

The Challenge

The integration of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to support a pumped storage power plant in stabilizing the Elia grid presents both technical and environmental challenges. The project must comply with complex environmental and urban planning regulations, while addressing potential impacts such as noise, landscape disruption, biodiversity concerns, water management, and electromagnetic fields. Coordinating these diverse aspects into a single, coherent permit application is a key challenge.

The Solution

Tractebel plays a central role in coordinating the environmental dimension of the project. This includes preparing the class 2 single permit application (covering both environmental and urban aspects) and managing the input from various specialized studies—acoustic modeling, landscape analysis, biodiversity assessment, water management, and electromagnetic field evaluation.
Tractebel also ensures alignment with the architect for the urban planning components, facilitating a streamlined and compliant permitting process.

The Impact

Through its integrated and multidisciplinary approach, Tractebel enables the successful realization of a grid-supporting BESS installation that meets all regulatory requirements. Tractebel’s coordination ensures that all environmental risks are addressed proactively, supporting a smooth permitting process and long-term project viability.