The modernisation of Scotland’s energy network has taken a big step forward with the official opening of the country’s first utility-scale battery facility.
Seen as a key enabler in the transition towards a cleaner energy future, the commissioning of the 20 MW battery storage facility in West Lothian represents a milestone in helping Scotland meet its decarbonisation goals.
Built and managed by RES and owned by The Renewables Infrastructure Group, the Broxburn Energy Storage facility provides services to National Grid. It charges when there is excess capacity on the grid. This energy is saved for periods of peak demand, helping balance the National Grid network.
These types of enhanced frequency response projects are anticipated to save the National Grid £200 m.
Scotland¹s minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation, Ivan McKee, opened the facility on 13 September. He said: “ … the Broxburn Energy Storage project is Scotland¹s first sub-second response energy storage project. A welcome addition to Scotland¹s low carbon energy system, projects such as this one can increase system flexibility and create opportunities for the further decarbonisation of Scotland¹s economy.”
As well as being the largest battery storage facility in Scotland, it is also the fastest, with a response time in the milliseconds.
Rachel Ruffle, RES managing director, said: “We believe that this project will play an important role in … encouraging policy makers and regulators to accelerate the removal of barriers to wider deployment of energy storage in the UK.”
Livingston based NRS Group were the main civil engneering contractor during the £1.5m construction phase. The facility is managed 24 hours a day using an RES RESolve operating system from the company¹s control centre in Glasgow.