Huawei Romania, Bamboo Energy, a software provider for energy flexibility and Flexumers, the first Romanian company offering flexibility and balancing services through Demand-Response models, announce a strategic partnership for the development and testing of an innovative solution aimed at monetizing distributed backup batteries from telecommunications in the system and balancing services markets.
The solution combines Bamboo Energy’s artificial intelligence-based optimization platform and Flexumers’ access to the Romanian auxiliary and balancing markets with Huawei’s advanced energy storage solution. The platform will dynamically manage energy storage and discharge, adapting in real time to market demands. The project starts with the initial implementation of a small number of batteries installed in telecom locations, with the solution to be expanded to the entire national network.
The initiative capitalizes on a significant, previously untapped opportunity. Traditionally, telecommunications networks have relied on decentralized batteries, used exclusively as a backup source during power outages. These resources typically remain unused, generating significant passive operational costs. The partnership aims to transform these assets into a virtual power plant (VPP) that operates in balancing markets and generates new revenue streams for operators.
The joint project will focus on two main directions for generating revenue from batteries for existing telecommunications equipment: price arbitrage, by optimizing charging cycles to store energy during low-cost periods and consume it when prices are higher, and ancillary services and the balancing market, by testing the technical capability of aggregated batteries to participate in the mFRR (manual frequency restoration reserve) and aFRR (automatic frequency restoration reserve) markets.
“This collaboration marks a turning point for the industry,” says Manel Sanmartí, CEO of Bamboo Energy.
“By demonstrating that distributed telecom batteries can participate in complex balancing markets, we not only help operators reduce their costs, but also provide the Romanian electricity grid with the flexibility needed to integrate a higher percentage of renewable energy.”
“Huawei integrates digital electronic technologies, leads the intelligent transformation through high-quality products, and continuously develops innovative solutions for the energy infrastructure of the digital industry. Through this strategic partnership, we aim to accelerate the transition to green energy, support the sustainable development of telecom operators, contribute to network stability, and build a greener and more sustainable future together,” says Yao Fengting, CEO of Huawei Romania.
“Energy consumption flexibility is becoming one of the most important tools for a safer and more efficient energy system,” says Marius Chiriac, founder of Flexumers. “Through this partnership, we demonstrate that batteries initially installed only as backup solutions can play an active role in balancing the grid and generate additional revenue for their owners. Together, we combine Flexumers’ expertise in aggregation and access to balancing markets, Huawei technology and Bamboo Energy’s intelligent optimization platform to transform distributed flexibility into a real commercial solution for Romania.”
This initiative represents the first virtual power plant for distributed energy storage systems at telecommunications sites in the region, marking a significant step forward in the valorization of critical infrastructures.
