The UK is set to build its largest lithium-ion energy storage system using a Tesla Megapack.
The system will be delivered through a partnership between Spain’s Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV)— part of Saudi Arabia’s Abdul Latif Jameel group— and the UK’s Harmony Energy.
Work on the 99MW/198MWh energy storage system (ESS) at Clay Tye in Essex, has begun.
The system will use a Tesla Megapack lithium-ion batteries, together with Tesla’s Autobidder AI software for real-time trading and control.
It will be connected to the distribution network operator UK Power Networks to deliver energy storage and grid-flexibility services.
Clay Tye follows the completion of the firms’ 34MW/68MWh energy storage system in West Sussex, UK, that uses 28 Tesla Megapack batteries and Tesla’s Autobidder software; the firm’s also deployed a system in Holes Bay last year.
Tesla fire
Last month, a fire spread across two Tesla lithium-ion battery packs at Neoen’s 300MW/450MWh energy storage system (ESS) in Australia.
UK lift restrictions
The Clay Tye ESS beats two other projects in the UK, which are: the 150MW/150MWh Minety battery in northern England, and a 100MW/100MWh project in Swindon that are due to be commissioned in Q1 2022.
In July 2020, the UK government introduced a secondary legislation to remove barriers for storage projects above 50MW in England and 350MW in Wales.
Removing barriers for energy storage projects were aimed at encouraging bolder investment decisions in larger battery facilities.
Image: a previous ESS built in Holes Bay, UK.
