RES has submitted a planning application to Angus Council for its 50MW Dunmill Energy Storage System in Montrose, Scotland.
The proposed 49.9MW battery, which would be located approximately 5km west of Montrose on land adjacent to Bridge of Dun substation, will play an important role in creating a more flexible system to help balance supply and demand on the grid network.
It would do this by storing energy at times when generation exceeds demand and then release it back onto the network when demand exceeds generation.
Head of energy storage UK&I for RES Rebecca Meek said: “Energy storage will be crucial in enabling the continued rollout of zero carbon energy needed to replace electricity generation from fossil fuels.
“We have carried out a number of detailed environmental studies to minimise any potential impacts and the site has been carefully designed to fit sensitively into the surrounding landscape.”
Biodiversity enhancement measures have also been proposed such as planting native shrubs, hedgerows and wildflower grass areas to provide wildlife corridors and vital resources for mammals, birds, and insect species.
Two sets of public exhibitions were held last year to enable the local community to learn more about the proposals, speak directly with the project team and submit feedback. The comments received, together with the site environmental studies and key consultee feedback, have been considered as part of the design development.
RES said it expects to create opportunities for local contractors and employees to get involved in the construction phase, which is expected to take around 12 months, should the plans receive planning consent. Across the UK and Ireland, RES has developed over 700MW of energy storage projects, including Broxburn in West Lothian (pictured).