In 1978 a new type of power plant was brought online, which remains unique in the world to this day: the Huntorf air-storage gas turbine power plant.

The Huntorf power plant is a peak load power plant. It differs from traditional gas turbine power plants in that the generation of compressed air and electricity are not simultaneous. Its trick is to transform electricity into mechanical energy, which is then stored and converted back into electricity at short notice as needed.

The area in which Huntorf is situated in lower Saxony is known for its salt caverns. The Huntorf power plant pumps air at off-peak times into two salt caverns totaling 300,000 cubic meters. These caverns are between 600 and 850 meters deep. At peak loads this air is drawn out and burned together with natural gas. It is then used in the gas turbine to generate power. The gas turbine is capable of black starts, i.e. it can be started without external energy and can reach its full output of 321 megawatts within six minutes.

The Huntorf power plant is fully automated and is controlled from the Farge power plant.