The facility was installed on site with the use of a Liebherr CC2800 Crawler Crane, which has a maximum lifting capacity of 600 tons. The batteries store electrical energy generated by renewable sources such as wind and solar during periods of low demand.
The UK has been at the forefront of BESS implementation, with the National Grid accelerating project timelines. Sarens is supporting this initiative, having recently completed the installation of 54 battery storage systems at Cellarhead BESS in the West Midlands.
The Ferrybridge battery storage facility will be capable of supplying electricity to around 250,000 homes for two hours during times of high demand. Located in West Yorkshire, UK, the battery energy storage system (BESS) will have a capacity of 150 MW and will be able to store up to 300 MWh of energy.
This facility represents a significant step forward in the country's transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. The project, led by SSE Renewables, has been under construction since August 2023 and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2024. Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental services, has actively participated in its construction by installing the 136 battery units for its client Notus Contract Lifting.
The Liebherr CC2800 Crawler Crane, which has a maximum lifting capacity of 600 tons with a radius of 10 meters, was used as the main crane for this job. The maximum length of its main boom is 138 meters, while that of the Jib is 36 meters. This unit has been selected because of its movement capacity, being able to move easily thanks to its crawler system, without the need for additional equipment.
The main challenge for the installation work was the limited space on site, which could be overcome thanks to the mobility of the crane. The equipment remained on site during May and June 2024, at which time Sarens provided an operator who was accompanied by Notus Contract Lifting personnel.
The storage cells at the Ferrybridge facility are of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) type. These batteries store electrical energy generated by renewable sources such as wind and solar during periods of low demand. They then help stabilize the grid and reduce dependence on fossil fuels by releasing this energy during periods of high demand. Each battery unit is equipped with advanced power management systems that optimize charging and discharging, ensuring efficient operation and extending battery life. In addition, they are designed to respond quickly to fluctuations in energy demand.
The UK has been at the forefront of BESS implementation, with the National Grid accelerating project timelines. In November 2023, the Grid announced progress on 19 projects with a combined capacity of approximately 10 GW. Sarens is supporting this initiative, having recently completed the installation of 54 battery storage systems at Cellarhead BESS in the West Midlands.
Sarens UK team has extensive experience in the country. They have been able to support the construction of the Hinkley Point C power station using the SGC250 ring crane known as Big Carl, the largest land based crane in the world. Sarens has also undertaken the Process Module and Process plant movements and lifts for the FAST project at the Fawley refinery, the installation of a 5000te concrete culvert on the rail line close to Glasgow, as well as the movement of a 4000te ship block for new Class 26 Frigates.
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