Approval given for 6MW renewables storage trial in UK

• 10 years ago (2013-07-30)
• David Flin

Europe 1061 North America 998

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A 6MW test facility for renewable energy storage technologies has been approved in the UK. The Smarter Network Storage (SNNS) in Leighton Buzzard is said to be the largest of its kind in Europe. The 6MW, 10MWh lithium-ion battery will be manufactured and installed by S&C; Electric Europe, Samsung SDI, and Younicos.

The project summary said that challenges in optimising the full potential of storage and a lack of large-scale demonstration projects are delaying the uptake of effective energy storage, which would allow for more renewable energy to be used on the grid. Philip Hiersemenzel, Press Spokesperson at Younicos, said that large battery projects like the Leighton Buzzard project could save on traditional grid reinforcement methods such as transformers, cables and power lines. He said new storage technology could save £8.6 million in traditional grid back-up methods.

The project will be a four-year demonstration, focusing on power frequency regulation, and designed to demonstrate renewables’ ability to generate consistent energy and meet current demand. It is hoped that the SNS project will attract investors in energy storage.

UK Power Networks, the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for the SNS project, was awarded £13.2 million of funding from regulator Ofgem’s Low Carbon Networks Fund for the project.