Shell Overseas Investments BV has acquired German virtual power plant (VPP) operator Next Kraftwerke, expanding its footprint in the space.

Battery storage in continental Europe “is not working anymore” following the integration of the European market, according to Next Kraftwerke CEO Jochen Schwill.

Virtual Power Plant (VPP) operator Next Kraftwerke and electric vehicle (EV) aggregator and smart charging platform provider Jedlix has launched a trial to test if EV batteries can be used to provide automatic frequency reserve.