NEC Energy Solutions Commissions 50 MW of Grid Energy Storage Facilities in UK for VLC Energy

The 50MW portfolio, which is now fully operational and includes a 40 MW facility in Glassenbury in Kent and a 10 MW installation in Cleator in Cumbria, represents the largest portfolio of utility-scale battery energy storage systems connected to the UK grid.

NEC Energy Solutions (NEC ES), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation has announced the commissioning of a total of 50 MW of energy storage projects in the UK with VLC Energy, a joint venture between Low Carbon, a renewable energy investment company, and VPI Immingham, owner of one of the largest combined heat and power plants in Europe and part of the Vitol Group.

The 50MW portfolio, which is now fully operational and includes a 40 MW facility in Glassenbury in Kent and a 10 MW installation in Cleator in Cumbria, represents the largest portfolio of utility-scale battery energy storage systems connected to the UK grid.

The Cleator and Glassenbury sites secured two contracts with National Grid in August 2016 for battery energy storage systems to provide Enhanced Frequency Response (EFR) to the UK system operator.

NEC ES provided turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services which included its GSS end-to-end grid storage solution, and was contracted to operate the sites to provide the EFR service directly to National Grid.

Energy storage operation for EFR will be handled by an automated operating mode designed specifically for the UK frequency response service, and is part of the AEROS controls system, NEC’s proprietary energy storage control software.

NEC ES will also provide warranty service and maintenance for ten years to maintain all required operating capabilities to satisfy the terms of the EFR contracts.

“The two new battery parks at Glassenbury and Cleator will ensure stability within the local grid and that the electricity demands of residents can be consistently met, including at times of high demand. Sites such as these are fundamental to our energy security and also to realizing the full potential of renewable electricity generation that hit record levels earlier this year,” Justin Thesiger, Operations Director at Low Carbon, said.

Steve Fludder, chief executive officer of NEC Energy Solutions said, “We are thrilled to be a part of these two exciting projects with VLC Energy.”

“In addition to providing our GSS grid storage systems, VLC Energy has entrusted us to provide the EFR service directly to National Grid. This is a true testament to the quality of our products, our people and our reputation,” Flidder added.

Source: Business Wire