New battery energy storage project approved

The 228MW:456MWh project will contribute decarbonised energy to the UK power grid. The estimated carbon savings are almost 15,500 tonnes of CO2 equivalent in its first year. That’s the same as emissions from around 17,350 average UK homes before their heating requirements. 

 

A BESS stores energy from renewable sources for release during periods of peak demand. It reduces pressure on the national grid and helps to reduce energy costs for consumers. 

 

The National Grid’s energy system operator (ESO) estimates the cost of constraints in the energy system could reach £3billion by 2029. The new BESS can reduce these costs and consumers’ bills by using clean energy that’s currently wasted. 

 

The nearby nuclear power station is due to shut down in 2028, so the project will also improve the stability for the local power network. 

 

Sometimes the network doesn’t have capacity to transfer power from one region to another. Generators might have to reduce (constrain) their output to manage the flow of power through the network. In compensation those who generate the energy receive a payment. The alternative is to build more infrastructure which adds to energy costs for consumers. 

 

Individual pieces of equipment also have physical limits to the amount of power they can handle. This is also a constraint on the power network. Balancing where power is needed and where it’s available is a major challenge. 

 

As more sources of zero carbon power become available, especially in the north and east of the country, constraint costs are likely to increase. Constraint management helps to reduce the impact of these issues. 

 

Leaving sources of renewable energy such as wind turbines unused due to constraints is expensive and the new BESS will help reduce this waste. The specialist zero carbon company involved in the project showed how batteries can help reduce the cost of constraints in the system. This project will help reduce energy waste and improve energy security.