Delivering full Electrical Balance of Plant (EBoP) and Principal Contractor services for a nationally significant battery facility
Project Snapshot
| Client | EDF Renewables UK & Ireland / Pivot Power |
| Location | Sandwell, West Midlands, UK |
| Project Value | Confidential |
| Duration | Construction & energisation completed 2023 |
| Market Sector | Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) |
| Services Delivered | Full Civil & Electrical Balance of Plant (EBoP), Principal Contractor |
| Powersystems Fact | Powersystems successfully energised the Bustleholme 49.9 MW BESS in 2023, delivering the infrastructure required to integrate 76 Wärtsilä battery cubes and 19 inverters. |
Bustleholme 49 MW Battery Case Study
Download the full Bustleholme BESS Case Study to see how Powersystems delivered the complete Electrical Balance of Plant and Principal Contractor services for this 49.9 MW / 100 MWh grid‑scale battery system in Sandwell. The PDF details our integration of 76 Wärtsilä battery cubes, 19 inverters, 10 transformers, 33 kV switchgear, earthing systems and fibre‑optic SCADA networks—along with National Grid’s innovative tertiary‑connection approach. Fully operational since late 2023, Bustleholme now provides fast‑response flexibility, renewable‑energy balancing and EV‑charging readiness for over 100,000 homes.
Client & Site Background
Bustleholme Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a 49.9 MW / 100 MWh grid‑connected storage project developed by EDF Renewables UK & Ireland and Pivot Power. The site connects directly to National Grid’s Bustleholme substation and supports the UK’s transition to a smarter, more flexible, low‑carbon electricity system.
Bustleholme became fully operational in September–October 2023, supporting the region’s decarbonisation and grid‑flexibility needs.
It forms part of Pivot Power’s Energy Superhub network, a national rollout delivering up to 2 GW of transmission‑connected battery storage and high‑volume EV charging infrastructure across the UK.
The Challenge
- Provide 49.9 MW / 100 MWh of fast‑response grid balancing capacity
- Enable increased renewable‑energy penetration into the National Grid
- Support high‑volume EV charging infrastructure across Sandwell and Birmingham via future private‑wire connections
- Deliver a system capable of powering over 100,000 homes for two hours during peak demand.
Our Engineering Solution
Powersystems acted as Principal Contractor and delivered the complete Electrical Balance of Plant (EBoP) for the project.
Design & Engineering
- Full civil and electrical BoP design, including landscaping, drainage, on-site water storage, foundations, duct routes and LV systems.
- Grid‑compliance studies:
- Fault level, harmonics, reactive power, load flow
- P28/P29 voltage fluctuation
- G99 compliance
- Earthing and protection studies
- Engineering aligned with National Grid requirements for tertiary connections.
Procurement & Installation
- Integration of 76 Wärtsilä GridSolv Quantum battery cubes and 19 inverters.
- Installation of 10 transformers, each connected to dual inverters (19 total circuits).
- Supply and commissioning of a 15‑panel ENA‑assessed 33 kV switchboard (incomers, feeders, VT, protection relays, metering & control).
- Installation of:
- 33 kV HV cabling
- Fibre‑optic communication networks
- SCADA interface panels
- LVAC systems and earthing grid
- Remote control panel and 110 V DC battery tripping systems
Testing & Commissioning
- Full HV network testing, VLF cable testing and termination
- Assembly, installation and interconnection of all BESS equipment
- SCADA integration with site GEMS (energy‑management) controller
- Provision of SAP engineers for energisation and switching
- Oversight of MES commissioning over a dedicated 10‑week period.
Principal Contractor Duties
- CDM compliance and site governance
- Traffic and logistics management
- Quality, environmental and H&S oversight
- Coordination of all subcontractors and EDF commissioning teams.
Technical Highlights
Tertiary Connection to National Grid
National Grid adopted an innovative tertiary winding connection to plug the BESS into the transmission network—using the third winding of existing supergrid transformers to reduce footprint and cost.
This approach allowed a 49.9 MW project to connect to the national transmission system efficiently.
Battery System Capability
- 50 MW / 100 MWh lithium‑ion storage capacity
- Can power 100,000+ homes for up to two hours
- Supports frequency response, balancing markets, reactive power and renewable‑integration services
- Deployment consistent with Wärtsilä systems used across EDF’s national portfolio.
Role in EDF’s Energy Superhub Network
Bustleholme mirrors the architecture of Energy Superhub Oxford, integrating battery storage with EV‑charging infrastructure.
Pivot Power intends to link Bustleholme to rapid‑EV charging hubs in northwest Birmingham via private wire.
Partnerships
- EDF Renewables UK & Ireland / Pivot Power — Client & developer, delivering the 49.9 MW / 100 MWh Bustleholme battery facility as part of the national Energy Superhub network
- National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) — Transmission operator enabling the innovative tertiary‑winding connection at the Bustleholme substation
- Wärtsilä — Battery technology provider supplying 76 GridSolv Quantum battery cubes and 19 inverters
- Powersystems — Principal Contractor & EBoP contractor (design, installation, testing, energisation, commissioning)
- CHP — Commercial management and contract administration partner supporting project delivery and confirming operational go‑live in October 2023.
Key Risks and Mitigations
- Complex tertiary grid connection – Mitigation: National Grid installed a low‑load transformer, with Powersystems delivering staged energisation and detailed protection studies.
- Renewable‑balancing & fast‑response performance – Mitigation: Wärtsilä’s GridSolv Quantum system, SCADA/GEMS integration and extended commissioning ensured stable operation
- Large‑scale lithium‑ion battery safety – Mitigation: Containerised thermal management, fire‑safety systems and compliant earthing/110 V DC tripping arrangements
- High‑demand EV‑charging readiness – Mitigation: Harmonic/flicker studies (G5/4, P28, P29), load‑flow modelling and tertiary‑connection capacity to support future private‑wire EV hubs
- Live transmission‑site construction constraints – Mitigation: CDM compliance, Principal Contractor governance and strict National Grid safety rules
- Complex multi‑party coordination – Mitigation: Powersystems led technical integration between EDF, Pivot Power, Wärtsilä, NGET and CHP with structured interface management
- Grid‑code compliance (G99, HV testing, SCADA) – Mitigation: Staged energisation of 33 kV switchboards, transformer energisation and developer summer‑testing prior to go‑live.
- Environmental & air‑quality requirements – Mitigation: Support for EV‑charging infrastructure and renewable integration to reduce regional emissions in Sandwell.
Environmental Considerations
- Supports the decarbonisation of the West Midlands and improves regional air quality
- Enables higher penetrations of renewable generation by absorbing surplus energy and releasing it when required
- Supports the UK Government’s ambition to decarbonise the electricity system by 2035
- Essential asset within National Grid’s Future Energy Scenarios predicting up to 13 GW of storage required by 2030.
Economic & Social Value
- Strengthens local grid infrastructure to unlock investment and business growth
- Supports expansion of EV‑charging networks, enabling green transport and regional mobility
- Lowers long‑term electricity system costs by increasing flexibility and reducing constraints
- Contributes to national decarbonisation goals and stabilises the future energy market.
- Powers >100,000 homes during peak demand events
- Reduces air pollution and improves public health across the West Midlands
- Enhances energy security and resilience for communities
- Enables sustainable transport options, supporting local climate‑action plans.
Delivery & Project Milestones
- Late 2021–2023: Onsite construction and installation by Powersystems
- February 2023: First 33 kV switchboard energisation
- Summer 2023: Developer testing completed
- September–October 2023: Bustleholme BESS becomes fully operational.
Wider Market Context
- The UK’s 2030 clean‑power target requires a significant expansion in grid‑scale battery energy storage to manage rapid growth in wind and solar generation
- Battery energy storage is identified as a critical flexibility solution for maintaining system resilience as the UK decarbonises its electricity grid
- UK policy and market analysis confirm that BESS will play a central role in achieving 2030–2035 decarbonisation goals, reducing reliance on fossil‑fuel generation
- Broader 2026 forecasts project the global BESS market reaching USD 81.6 billion in 2026, driven by renewable energy integration and grid modernisation.
Future Prospects
The Bustleholme 49.9 MW BESS is a nationally significant asset delivering fast‑response capability, renewable integration, EV‑charging readiness and system‑wide flexibility.
Through its role as Principal Contractor, Powersystems provided:
- Safe and compliant EBoP delivery
- Full HV/LV electrical integration
- Complete SCADA and protection systems
- Successful energisation and handover
This project demonstrates Powersystems’ proven capability in delivering large‑scale battery infrastructure, supporting the UK’s journey to net zero.
Related Projects
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- Coylton BESS 275 kV Project
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Delivering a grid scale battery project?
Partner with Powersystems for full Electrical Balance of Plant, Principal Contractor support, and complete grid‑connection expertise — from design to energisation.
Contact our HV engineering team today to discuss your project requirements.