RES has filed a planning application for grid-balancing Killymallaght battery project in Northern Ireland.
The developer said the scheme will help play a vital role in balancing supply and demand on country’s grid and is located on land close to Killymallaght substation approximately 2.5km south-east of Newbuildings, County Derry/Londonderry.
“Energy storage systems are crucial in helping manage the increasingly complex supply and demand needs of the 21st Century and meeting Northern Ireland’s net zero targets,” said RES.
“They provide reliable and safe ways of managing intermittent and weather-dependent electricity generation from renewables and are considered the fastest technology for responding to a sudden spike in demand, or an abrupt loss of supply, helping maintain the grid network balance to avoid blackouts and grid failure.
“They are typically sited close to substations, as in the case of Killymallaght, to limit electrical losses and ensure efficiency of the system as well as minimising any potential environmental impacts.”
The developer added detailed site surveys have been carried out for Killymallaght, as well as pre-application consultation, to ensure any potential impact upon the environment, landscape, heritage and local residents is minimised.
RES development project manager Peter Deeney added: “One of the key points raised during local consultation on this project was the importance of screening the site.
“The proposal will include earth bunds with native planting as well as infill hedgerow planting to reduce visibility and enhance biodiversity.”
“We also received questions about whether the site may pose a risk to food security by preventing livestock grazing.
“In reality, one of the biggest risks to food security is climate change; energy storage schemes like Killymallaght can enable and accelerate the rollout of renewable energy – directly tackling the effects of climate change.”
Killymallaght energy storage proposal is expected to go before Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Planning Committee in the next few months and, if consented, would take around 12 months to build.