AES Announces Completion Of The UK's Biggest Battery Energy Storage Array
AES UK & Ireland has announced the completion of the Kilroot Advancion Energy Storage Array, located in Kilroot Power Station in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. The Array provides 10 megawatts (MW) of interconnected energy storage, equivalent to 20 MW of flexible resource, and is the largest advanced energy storage system in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the only such system at transmission scale. The Array uses the Advancion 4 energy storage solution, a complete, battery based alternative to peaking power plants that provides a dependable, smart and cost-competitive means to support a reliable, low carbon electricity system for the Northern Ireland economy.
The Kilroot Array will enhance grid reliability by providing fast response ancillary services like frequency regulation, as part of the system operator's existing Harmonised Ancillary Services system. With more efficient balancing of supply and demand, energy storage will lower costs to consumers, unlock the value of existing renewables, and improve the security of supply in the All Ireland Electricity System, as Robin McCormick, General Manager of the System Operator Northern Ireland (SONI) explains: "Integrating battery storage solutions onto the system is an important development which should bring real benefits to customers across the island. As the transmission system operator, this innovation provides a significant learning opportunity; we will assess the role that battery storage will play in the increasingly diverse portfolio of generation sources, as we continue to ensure a safe, secure, reliable and cost efficient electricity supply throughout Northern Ireland."
The Array utilises over 53,000 batteries, arranged in 136 separate Nodes for increased reliability, and the patented Advancion control system, which responds to grid changes in less than a second. Advancion 4 is among the most proven energy storage platforms available, resulting from AES' more than eight years of commercial experience operating grid-connected energy storage.
The Array represents a significant investment in the future of Northern Ireland's energy infrastructure by AES, and is a fully commercial project which creates no additional cost for consumers. Separately, Innovate UK Energy Catalyst is providing funding, in partnership with Queen's University Belfast, to demonstrate the full capabilities of energy storage by analysing the impact of this array. The effort will be led by a consortium including AES, Queen's University Belfast, SONI, NIE Networks and the Utility Regulator. Queen's University will publish an independent report on the potential of the technology to benefit the All Island Electricity Market.
AES UK & Ireland President, Carla Tully said, "Since 1992, AES has helped to keep the lights on in Northern Ireland and we have a history of providing our customers with innovative solutions. Our investment in the largest battery energy storage array on these islands represents an important advancement in providing safe, reliable, cost effective and emission free power."
John Zahurancik, President of AES Energy Storage said, "As the UK and the Republic of Ireland look for innovative ways to strengthen the electric grid while reducing costs and system-wide emissions, we're pleased to deliver Advancion as a part of the solution."
The 10 MW array is a crucial first step towards a planned 100 MW energy storage array adjacent to Kilroot Power Station, which would be among the largest in the world. The 100 MW installation, equivalent to 200 MW of flexible resource, has been independently estimated as being able to provide £8.5 million in system savings per annum and the equivalent of 123,000 tonnes of CO2 eliminated each year, by displacing out of merit thermal back up plant and facilitating fuller integration of existing renewables. Globally, AES owns and operates the world's largest advanced energy storage fleet, with 384 MW in operation, construction, or late stage development.
