18 October 2021
The battery storage site developed by our lead partner Pivot Power, part of EDF Renewables, has been recognised by National Grid as the ‘first tertiary connection’ in the country to export onto the Grid. It’s just one of many ways in which Energy Superhub Oxford is breaking new ground to accelerate net zero.
Tertiary connections provide a way of connecting directly to National Grid’s high voltage transmission network. Each connection provides up to 57MW demand or generation capability.
The 50MW/50Mh lithium-ion battery – which went live in June 2021 – is the first in the country to export onto the Grid. This innovative approach shows how we can make more efficient use of our existing electrical infrastructure to create a smarter, more flexible energy system and power our lives with clean energy.
The system is the first to go live as part of Pivot Power’s plans to develop up to 2GW of battery storage nationwide, closely followed by Kemsley in Kent. Work is due to start at our next two projects in Coventry and Sandwell shortly, which will collectively provide 100MW/200MWh of battery storage.
Roisin Quinn, Director of Customer Connections at National Grid said: “Congratulations on the recent go-live at Cowley. As the first tertiary connection to export onto the Grid the successful commissioning of this project is a huge achievement for all involved at Pivot Power, EDF Renewables and National Grid. We wanted to take the opportunity to mark the occasion and show our appreciation of all the efforts involved in achieving this milestone.”
Mikey Clark, CTO/COO at Pivot Power added: We’re hugely honoured that National Grid have chosen to recognise the work we have done at Cowley to create the UK’s first transmission-connected battery. It’s taken a phenomenal effort from everyone in the Pivot Power team and we couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve achieved together. As part of EDF Renewables, we’re committed to accelerating a net zero future, and battery storage is critical to achieving this goal.”
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