Battery storage is crucial to meet the Government’s 2050 net zero climate change targets, providing flexible capacity to enhance the reliability of our electricity system and cost-effectively integrate more renewable generation.
- Pivot Power and Wärtsilä to develop 100 MW/200 MWh of battery storage in West Midlands to enable more renewable energy in the UK
- Part of Pivot Power’s programme to build a national network of Energy Superhubs – delivering up to 2 GW of battery storage, almost 10% of UK need by 2050, and creating charging infrastructure to support the estimated 36 million electric vehicles on the road by 2040
- Wärtsilä to provide world-leading battery storage infrastructure as part of its global vision to lead the transition towards 100% clean energy
- Projects replicate Pivot Power’s Energy Superhub Oxford model to support the decarbonisation plans of local councils and communities nationwide
UK-based Pivot Power, part of EDF Renewables, has announced a deal with Wärtsilä, the global technology company, to deliver two new grid-scale battery storage facilities in Coventry and Sandwell, to accelerate the West Midlands’ and UK-wide drive to net zero. The projects will collectively provide 100 MW/200 MWh of battery storage – enough to power over 200,000 homes for two hours.
This is the latest phase of Pivot Power’s nationwide rollout of Energy Superhubs, designed to deliver up to 2 GW of transmission-connected battery storage and high-volume power connections to support more renewables and create the power infrastructure for mass-scale, rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging. This innovative model supports EDF group’s ambition to become Europe’s leading e-mobility energy company by 2023 and forms a key pillar of its plan to develop an additional 10GW of battery storage globally by 2035.
Once complete, the new Energy Superhubs will form part of a portfolio of Britain’s most powerful EV charging sites. Pivot Power’s first project – Energy Superhub Oxford – is nearing completion and will provide a blueprint for towns and cities across the UK to cut carbon and improve air quality. It is backed by funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and integrates rapid EV charging, battery storage, low carbon heating and smart energy management technologies to save 10,000 tonnes of CO2 every year once opened. This is the equivalent to taking over 2,000 cars off the road, increasing to 25,000 tonnes by 2032.
Wärtsilä will supply the cutting-edge battery technology for both West Midlands projects, underpinned by its world leading GEMS Digital Energy Platform, which dynamically optimises energy systems through a broad range of applications, providing critical feedback to stakeholders across asset owner, operation and trading value chains. The partnership with Pivot Power is an important part of Wärtsilä’s ambition to enable a 100% clean energy system in the UK by providing essential grid flexibility, and builds on the companies’ first two projects together in Oxford and Kent.
Battery storage is crucial to meet the Government’s 2050 net zero climate change targets, providing flexible capacity to enhance the reliability of our electricity system and cost-effectively integrate more renewable generation. Pivot Power’s network could provide almost 10% of the battery storage it is predicted the UK will need by 2050[2] and will help to create a smarter, more flexible grid which could save up to £40 billion.
Matt Allen, CEO of Pivot Power, said: “This is the next step in our nationwide rollout of Energy Superhubs which will create the low carbon infrastructure needed to support the EV and renewable energy revolution. As part of EDF Renewables, Pivot Power’s purpose is to accelerate a net zero future where clean energy powers our lives. We are working hand in hand with local authorities to help them meet their climate and clean air pledges, so people can live and work in cleaner, more sustainable cities.”
Andy Tang, Vice President, Energy Storage & Optimisation, Wärtsilä said: “The UK recently set a bold ambition to slash carbon emissions by 78% by 2035 and flexibility is the key to achieving 100% renewables and decarbonising the economy. Our energy storage systems are helping leading innovators like Pivot Power turn these ambitions into reality. The enhanced flexibility this project will provide is precisely what we need to accelerate our cost-optimal pathway to 100% clean power.”
DELIVERING NET ZERO FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES
At both sites the battery storage systems will share their connection to the high-voltage electricity transmission network with a high-volume power connection, which will deliver large amounts of power for rapid EV charging to strategic locations in the local area, from public charging hubs to bus depots and commercial fleets. For example in Oxford it will deliver up to 10MW of power to the UK’s largest public charging hub at a Park & Ride on the outskirts of the city, with plans to expand to bus and council depots in the near future.
Rolling out charging infrastructure for electric vehicles at scale is critical to help the West Midlands meet its target to be zero carbon by 2041. Pivot Power is developing its Energy Superhubs in partnership with Coventry City Council, Sandwell Council and West Midlands development agencies, to maximise impact and deliver world-leading urban decarbonisation projects. The batteries are the first phase in their rollout, which will help ensure clean, affordable and secure electricity supplies for both Coventry and Sandwell as polluting coal and gas-fired power stations close and more clean energy is brought onto the grid.
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said: “Working with Pivot Power on this project is helping Coventry deliver on our climate commitments. We are leading the way in creating innovative, low carbon infrastructure to decarbonise transport and improve air quality, helping people move away from polluting vehicles to green, clean transport. This project will combine with a raft of other green industrial revolution projects being pioneered in Coventry as we lead the way in this increasingly important sector.”
Councillor Steve Melia, West Bromwich Town Lead at Sandwell Council, said: ‘Sandwell is one of the first communities to benefit from the unique infrastructure investment that this project brings. Pivot Power’s Energy Superhub will not only ensure that more of our power comes from clean, sustainable sources but will also help to power ultra-fast public EV charging hubs in the Sandwell area, supporting our strategy to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and create sustainable jobs and economic growth. The site is at the heart of the English motorway network. As such, there are many hotels, bus garages and service stations nearby which are ideally situated to make use of this facility.”
Rob Saunders, Challenge Director for the UKRI’s Prospering from the Energy Revolution programme, said: “UKRI’s funding aims to demonstrate approaches that can be scaled up and repeated across the UK, and Energy Superhub Oxford is an ideal illustration of how the Superhub model can help to deliver a local area’s plans for decarbonisation and clean air. We are delighted to see these announcements paving the way for further replication which can help local authorities and communities across the UK deliver a cleaner, net zero future.”
Pivot Power’s Energy Superhubs are all located alongside National Grid substations and have been selected for proximity to major road networks and urban populations. The Coventry battery storage system is located to the north east of the city, close to junction 2 of the M6 and Sandwell’s is located close to junction 7 of the M6 where the M5 and A34 meet. In consultation with both Councils, Pivot Power has undertaken a range of detailed environmental studies to ensure that no significant effects will arise from the facilities. The sites are well screened and will have minimal visibility from public viewpoints. Construction of the battery storage systems is due to commence at Sandwell in Q4 2021 and at Coventry in Q1 2022.
Pivot Power is looking to engage with councils around each of its planned sites to help support the rapid expansion of Energy Superhubs nationwide.
About Pivot Power
Pivot Power, part of EDF Renewables, creates the low carbon infrastructure needed to future-proof our electricity system, integrate more renewable energy, and provide scalable capacity for electric vehicle charging. By creating a nationwide network of Energy Superhubs – combining big batteries and high-volume power connections – we are enabling rapid electric vehicle charging on a mass scale, powered by low carbon energy sources. A map of all our proposed Energy Superhubs can be found at: www.pivot-power.co.uk
About Wärtsilä Energy
Wärtsilä Energy leads the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future. We help our customers unlock the value of the energy transition by optimising their energy systems and future-proofing their assets. Our offering comprises flexible power plants, energy management systems, and storage, as well as lifecycle services that ensure increased efficiency and guaranteed performance. Wärtsilä has delivered 72 GW of power plant capacity in 180 countries around the world. https://www.wartsila.com/energy/
About Wärtsilä
Wärtsilä is a global leader in smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising sustainable innovation, total efficiency and data analytics, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2019, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 5.2 billion with approximately 19,000 employees. The company has operations in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. https://www.wartsila.com
About Energy Superhub Oxford
Energy Superhub Oxford (ESO) is one of three demonstrator projects part-funded by the UK government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund under its “Prospering from the Energy Revolution” (PFER) programme. The PFER programme is delivering innovation in smart local energy systems. ESO – a collaboration between Pivot Power, Habitat Energy, Invinity Energy Systems, Kensa Contracting, Oxford University, and Oxford City Council – will showcase rapid electric vehicle charging, hybrid battery storage, low carbon heating, and smart energy management to improve air quality and accelerate Oxford’s zero carbon journey. www.energysuperhuboxford.org
[1] Assumes full 2 hour discharge of 100MW and average annual domestic consumption of 3772kWh.
[2] National Grid Future Energy Scenarios July 2021
[3] Upgrading Our Energy System Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan July 2017