EDF Energy will trade power from the 200MW / 400MWh system in Blackhillock, which is owned by Zenobē.
Kraken will support that by managing the control and dispatch of energy from the site. This latest ground-breaking project means Kraken now manages 50% of the UK’s grid-scale batteries, with a further 4.2GW contracted.
The project aims to address stability issues created by intermittent renewable generation in a cost-effective way. It will be expanded to 300MW by next year, enough to supply 3.1 million homes, more than every household in Scotland. This is expected to lower consumer bills by £170 million and abate 3.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 15 years.
Grid-scale batteries crucial
Charlotte Johnson, General Manager, Infrastructure Flex at Kraken, said: “Grid-scale batteries are a crucial part of the reliable, renewable energy system of the future. We are working with terrific partners in EDF and Zenobē, and transforming the grid to make full use of the cheapest energy available – from the wind and sun – to bring down bills for everyone.”
James Basden, Zenobē Co-Founder and Director, said: “This marks a critical juncture in Britain’s clean power journey as Zenobē adds over 30% to the capacity of operational battery storage in Scotland.
“Battery storage has an essential role to play in our transition to renewable energy. Integrated with Kraken’s innovative platform, Blackhillock will be Europe’s largest and most technically advanced battery. It will also be the first transmission connected battery in the world to deliver Stability Services, a vital solution if we are to continue the transition to renewable power at speed and scale.”
Image credit: Kraken. The Blackhillock site.
