Now they’re beginning to see
others following in their footsteps, co-locating renewable energy generation assets
and storage systems and sharing grid connections, to make best use of the grid.
Three years of collaboration
resulted in Boudica; a pathfinder project designated
by the UK Government’s Offshore Transmission Network Review (OTNR). The
OTNR aimed to improve
coordination between projects to incorporate the increasing amounts of
renewable energy coming onto the UK electricity network.
The Boudica project, which
is owned by Ørsted ICENI Energy Storage UK Ltd, will
install a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on the same site as Ørsted’s
Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm Onshore Substation. The project is expected to come
online by the end of 2026. Named for the rebellious
East of England tribe headed by Queen Boudica, ICENI will make its own impact by helping to stabilise the UK energy system.
Working through the
Pathfinder process to incorporate battery energy storage at this location makes
the most of the grid infrastructure normally accessed by just a single offshore
wind farm. As well as the combination of technologies enhancing renewable
production and grid operations, better use of grid infrastructure reduces the
cost to UK electricity consumers by minimising the need for network upgrades
and new generation capacity.
Bridgit Hartland-Johnson,
Chief Specialist, System Integration at Ørsted, said: “This project is the
first of its kind and a blueprint for the future. Never before has there been a
battery storage system joined to offshore electricity transmission
infrastructure. We’re now seeing more of these projects in the pipeline,
demonstrating that it is a best in class solution.”
Energy Minister Michael
Shanks said: “The independent National Energy System Operator has
confirmed that our clean power by 2030 mission is achievable, but to deliver it
we need to increase our ability to store renewable electricity.
“Innovative battery
storage projects, like this one from Ørsted, will help us to do just that -
making the most of our clean, homegrown power and reducing our exposure to
volatile fossil fuel markets.
“We’re also taking steps
to unleash investment in more long-duration energy storage technologies, that
will play a vital role in making Britain a clean energy superpower.”
John Twomey, Director of Customer
Connections at National Grid Electricity Transmission, said: “Co-locating
assets in this way can help maximise the benefits of new renewable generation
planning to connect to the electricity network, ensuring excess wind power can
be stored and used when needed. We’re pleased to have helped Ørsted develop
their pathfinder scheme and are keen to explore further similar coordination
for other projects in future.
