Storage owner Varco Energy (Varco) has chosen Fluence Energy UK (Fluence) to deliver one of its first battery-based energy storage systems in the United Kingdom.
The 57MW/137.5MWh project, named Sizing John, will be deployed at a substation in Rainhill, south of St Helens.
It will support National Grid Energy System Operator (NGESO) in balancing the power grid as more intermittent renewables come online, by providing a suite of fast-acting flexibility services.
The project will also trade on wholesale power markets to help load shift excess renewable energy into periods of peak demand, as well as support energy security through participating in the capacity market.
The Sizing John project comes at a highly relevant time for the UK, not only in supporting the government’s move towards net zero, but by providing much needed new-build investment into a storage sector that is integral to managing the supply and demand flow of renewable energy.
The project has pre-designed significant expansion capabilities to match a potential higher connection capacity expected in 2026, which would further help NGESO balance one of the most congested parts of the UK power grid, known as the ‘Mersey Ring’.
Varco, an Adaptogen Capital funded BESS operating company, is on a mission to drive the energy transition to a net-zero future by building flexible energy storage.
By helping to integrate renewable energy generation and balance the grid, Varco aims to make sustainable energy accessible and affordable for all consumers.
James Mills, director of Varco Energy, said: “Battery-based energy storage is critically needed infrastructure to help balance the intermittent nature of renewable energy generation and break the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels.
“We are therefore delighted to be partnering with Fluence, an industry leader in safety standards, experience in the market, and speed and quality of deployments, for one of our first projects.
“At Varco we are committed to investing in assets that will accelerate renewable integration, sustain a resilient grid and drive consumer value in the UK. This project is one of the first of many as Varco seeks to deliver on its ambitions.”
Brian Perusse, managing director of Fluence Energy UK, said: “Fluence is pleased to partner with Varco Energy to deliver a project that will provide additional flexibility to the grid network, a critical aspect of increasing the grid’s resilience as we work towards transforming the way we power our world.
“Sizing John is our first project in the British market with a duration of 2.4h, as we are committed to providing tailor-made solutions and applications our customers and markets need.
“For Fluence, Sizing John will be another project contracted or deployed in the UK and Ireland, with a current total company portfolio in those markets exceeding 1.4GWh.”