The 10 MW lithium-ion battery is housed in four 40-foot-long shipping containers. It has the same power as roughly 100 family cars and holds the same amount of energy as approximately 500,000 mobile phone batteries.
The Blackburn Meadows battery was successful in National Grid’s Enhanced Frequency Response to deliver technologies capable of responding in less than one second at times of either an over- or under-supply of energy to the grid.
Battery systems work by immediately discharging power to the network when the frequency falls – either when supply drops or when demand increases – bringing the frequency back up. The battery is also available to take power off the network if supply is greater than demand.
As well as helping to make more efficient use of renewable energy sources, the batteries will also be able to provide extra power to the network at times of peak demand as part of the Capacity Market.
“This is a milestone for E.ON in the new energy world and an important recognition of the enormous potential for battery solutions in the UK,” said David Topping, Director of Business Heat and Power Solutions at E.ON.
“Having undergone successful grid testing by National Grid we are the first EFR operator to complete the installation and bring our system online. The success of this project, three months ahead of plan, is tribute to the excellent work done by colleagues across E.ON as well as our contractors.
“Blackburn Meadows is a real example of the new smart energy world – a renewable energy plant providing electricity to the grid and sustainable and affordable heating and hot water to local businesses.
“Batteries at this scale allow us to make best use of all renewable energy sources by harnessing the energy and having it ready for use whenever it’s needed – increasing the share of renewable energy on the grid while at the same time providing a secure supply for our customers,” he concluded.
