Recording of Monday, June 22, 2026 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Language: English | Duration: 10:47 .

The Role of Inertia and Energy Storage in Transitioning to Renewable Energy

The talk discusses the critical importance of inertia in maintaining grid stability as the world shifts towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind. It highlights Tesla's evolution from an electric vehicle manufacturer to a significant player in energy storage, emphasizing products such as the SuperPAC and MegaPAC, which utilize repurposed EV batteries for increased storage capacity. As energy demands rise, the need for systems providing inertia becomes paramount to maintain grid frequency—especially at 50 hertz in Europe. Traditionally, inertia is supplied by coal and gas power sources through large rotating machinery, counteracting disturbances that could lead to blackouts. The introduction of grid-forming batteries is emphasized, as they can provide synthetic inertia and enhance the stability of renewable energy systems. A case study from Hawaii illustrates the effectiveness of energy storage in responding to sudden power losses, showcasing its potential as a model for the transition in other regions. Overall, the presentation underscores technological advancements and policy support as crucial enablers for a sustainable energy future.

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Speaker

Jaromir Simon
Energy Policy Manager Central Europe
Tesla
Germany

Talk of session: Solar + Storage - Integrating Hybrid Assets for Grid Support and Flexibility

Europe's rapid solar expansion is pushing power grids to their limits. Grid operators across the continent are now turning to co-located solar-plus-storage systems to stabilize networks, absorb excess generation and unlock new connection capacity. These projects mark a shift from asset-centric storage design to grid-integrated operation and market-based procurement. This session highlights recent 2026 initiatives that show how integrated solar-plus-storage assets can reinforce the grid by providing congestion relief, voltage and inertia support and firm capacity, thereby enabling higher renewable penetration and broader market participation. Speakers will share lessons from real-world projects demonstrating how close coordination between grid operators, developers and flexibility providers transforms solar-plus-storage systems from a balancing resource into essential grid infrastructure.

Further Talks of this session:

Welcome and Introduction

Speaker

Patrick Clerens
Secretary General
Energy Storage Europe

To Talk

Overview of System Services in Europe: System Needs, and How They Are Remunerated

Speaker

Tom Smout
Head of Storage
LCP Delta
United Kingdom

To Talk

Emerging System Services in Europe: Congestion Management

Speaker

Carsten Bakker
System Services Product Manager
Elia Group
Belgium

To Talk

Limiting Congestion and Grid Reinforcement, Enabling Renewables: The 2026 MiNDFlex (Unareti Pilot Poject)

Speaker

Hasnain Salman
Project Engineer
a2a Life Company
Italy

To Talk

Q&A

To Talk

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