Wärtsilä to build sixth grid-scale energy storage project for EDF Renewables UK
Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has signed a repeat order with EDF Renewables UK to deliver a grid-scale energy storage system in the UK.
The 57MW/114MWh project in Bramford in the east of England will be delivered in 2024 and marks Wärtsilä’s sixth project with EDF Renewables UK and Ireland.
The Bramford battery storage facility will be built near a planned solar farm being developed by EDF Renewables UK.
The storage facility will be connected to the transmission network, and will automatically charge and discharge to balance supply and demand, boosting resilience of the electricity system.
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According to Wärtsilä, the Bramford project will also support any future developments in electric vehicle (EV) charging and the electrification of public transport.
Matthew Boulton, Director of Storage and Private Wire at EDF Renewables UK, said: “Our aim is to help create an energy system that is clean, affordable, and secure by providing valuable flexibility to support the integration of a greater amount of renewable energy.
“Our Bramford battery storage facility is an important part of this, and we are excited to start construction in the coming weeks.”
In order to control the installation and allow interfacing with the grid and external traders, Wärtsilä will provide its GridSolv Quantum system and GEMS Digital Energy Management Platform for the project.
Gabriele Buccini, senior business development manager, energy storage and optimisation, Wärtsilä said: “Whilst greater integration of renewables into the UK’s electricity grid is critical to supporting the transition to net zero, smart power infrastructure is needed to manage its intermittency and improve the resilience of the UK’s electricity system.
“That is exactly what the Bramford project is helping to do, and deliver cleaner, more reliable power to the country.”
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Wärtsilä’s energy storage portfolio in the UK now exceeds 1 GWh.
In December 2022, Wärtsilä signed a contract with EDF Renewables UK and Ireland for a new grid-scale energy storage facility in Sundon, Bedfordshire, UK.
The 50MW/100MWh project will form part of a new Energy Superhub in the region and can store enough electricity to power 100,000 homes for two hours.
