
Zenobē, an proprietor and operator of grid-scale batteries on the GB transmission community, has introduced that Europe’s largest battery web site, situated in Blackhillock, Scotland, has begun business operations.
The Blackhillock web site is launching in two phases. Section 1 includes of 200MW which went stay on 3 March and will probably be adopted by an extra 100MW in 2026, making a complete of 300MW/600MWh. The entire capability of the location is the equal of powering over 3.1 million properties, mentioned the group, considerably greater than all of the households in Scotland, for one hour.
Intentionally situated between Inverness and Aberdeen to deal with grid congestion from Viking (443 MW), Moray East (950 MW) and Beatrice (588 MW) offshore wind farms, the mission is alleged to considerably cut back the quantity of wasted clear power and is a vital milestone to reaching the UK authorities’s mission to have a web zero energy grid by 2030.
Battery storage performs a crucial function within the UK’s web zero transition with over 22GW required at least within the Authorities’s Clear Energy 2030 Plan. As Britain will increase its reliance on renewable power sources resembling wind and photo voltaic, batteries like Blackhillock will be certain that extra energy may be saved after which used throughout instances of elevated demand.
Along with being Europe’s largest battery, the Blackhillock web site would be the first on the earth to supply Stability Providers to the Nationwide Vitality System Operator (NESO) to make renewable energy safer and dependable. Wärtsilä is supplying its Quantum power storage system expertise and GEMS Digital Vitality Platform with SMA grid forming inverters enabling a resilient energy system with excessive energy high quality. Scottish and Southern Electrical energy Networks (SSEN) delivered the grid connection required for the location to harness the renewable power on its transmission community.
EDF Wholesale Market Providers would be the Path to Market supplier for the location, by its market main buying and selling platform, Powershift. This platform mixed with Zenobē’s battery optimisation specialists will construct extra flexibility into the grid, important to decreasing wind curtailment and accelerating the decarbonisation of the community.
“By integrating this cutting-edge expertise, Blackhillock will improve the reliability of the UK’s rising renewable energy system and assist cut back shopper payments nationwide,” mentioned a press launch from the group. “The positioning is predicted to save lots of customers over £170 million over the subsequent 15 years. It can additionally stop roughly 2.6 million tonnes of CO₂ from getting into the ambiance throughout this era by integrating extra wind energy onto the transmission community.”
Commenting, Zenobē Founder Director James Basden mentioned: “At present marks a crucial juncture in Britain’s clear energy journey as Zenobē provides over 30% to the capability of operational battery storage in Scotland. Battery storage has a necessary function to play in our transition to renewable power, so I’m proud that Zenobē and our companions are main the best way by launching Europe’s largest and most technically superior battery.
“This mission has further significance, with the Blackhillock web site being the primary transmission linked battery on the earth to ship Stability Providers alongside a number of different essential providers. Because the UK steps up the tempo on a transition to renewable energy, these providers are very important if we’re to make sure the reliability and affordability of our grid shifting forwards.”
Fintan Slye, CEO of the Nationwide Vitality System Operator, mentioned: “Our 2025 ambition to allow zero carbon operation of Nice Britain’s nationwide electrical energy community is central to NESO’s mission. The supply by Zenobe of this grid forming battery is a significant accomplishment and brings us a step nearer to this aim. Battery storage is crucial to the long run reliability and affordability of the UK grid and pairing it with this grid forming expertise can unlock even better resilience for a net-zero community.”
Vitality Minister Michael Shanks mentioned: “”We’re losing no time in delivering clear energy by 2030, with the Blackhillock battery web site marking the newest milestone in delivering our mission to grow to be a clear power superpower.
“With each wind turbine put up, photo voltaic panel put in, and battery facility constructed, we’re defending households from future power shocks.
“Battery websites like this are serving to retailer our clear, surplus power to cut back our reliance on fossil fuels – which is able to defend households and enhance our power safety for good.”