Invinity Energy Systems plc has today been awarded £11m in funding by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to build what it says is the largest grid-scale battery ever manufactured in the UK.
The £11m in funding will come from the Longer Duration Energy Storage Demonstration (LODES) Competition, with funding matched by Invinity’s, as yet unnamed, project partner.
The fast-response 30MWh battery will be assembled in Scotland, at Invinity’s factory in Bathgate, West Lothian.
It will operate as a stand-alone energy storage asset, positioned at a key node on the National Grid.
The battery is expected to go live in 2025 and be the longest duration battery asset to be connected to the UK grid.
The battery will store enough energy, including low cost-renewables, to meet the daily electricity needs of over 3,500 UK homes, Invinity said.
Invinity’s cutting-edge Vanadium Flow Battery (VFB) technology is an alternative to better known lithium-ion batteries.
Invinity said this battery is safer as they cannot catch fire, more durable as they do not degrade with use and are almost completely recyclable at the end of their 25+ year life, reducing environmental impacts and disposal costs for project owners.
Chief commercial officer at Invinity Matt Harper said: “We appreciate the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero’s recognition of the importance of longer duration energy storage for grid stability and to making low-cost renewable power available on demand.
“We are grateful that Invinity was chosen from a very competitive field and look forward to delivering what will be the largest battery ever manufactured in the UK.
“We are pleased to help improve UK’s energy security, further demonstrate UK leadership in energy technology, and support UK industry and jobs.
“This award is a critical step in Invinity’s journey from development stage to a commercial supplier of batteries critical to the global path to net zero.”