UK Power Reserve has partnered with global energy storage provider Fluence to deliver the first 60MW phase of a 120MW energy storage portfolio in England.

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Image: UK Power Reserve will deliver energy storage portfolio in England. Photo: courtesy of UK Power Reserve Ltd.

Fluence, a Siemens and AES joint venture, will be responsible for the supply of the battery systems for the first phase project.

The firm will provide three 20MW of battery storage systems from its Advancion technology platform at sites in the Midlands and North West. The three facilities are scheduled to be operational in the winter season of 2018/19.

Advancion platform, an industrial strength energy storage solution, is designed to provide the highest dependability for long-term operations, Fluence said.

UK Power Reserve head Sam Wither said: “When we needed a partner to help us deliver on our ambitious 2018 battery storage plans, Fluence answered the call, just as we answer the call for UK consumers every minute of every day with our flexible, fast-responding gas fleet.

“Now we’re moving into battery storage and we’re really excited to work with Fluence. Battery storage will play an important part enabling the smart, flexible energy system of the future and UK Power Reserve is already front and centre as we bring our commitments online quickly and efficiently.

“Together with our rapid response gas assets, we continue to demonstrate that we can deliver secure, low carbon electricity, value to the consumer and commercial success without compromise.”

UK Power Reserve, which was recently acquired by Sembcorp Industries, is planning to use the storage facilities to deliver flexibility and stability to the grid. The firm secured the 120MW portfolio in the 2016 UK capacity market auction.

The Advancion platform is also capable of adapting to changes in the market, thus providing UK Power Reserve with ultra-fast response flexible assets,  Fluence noted.

Fluence UK & Ireland, Middle East & Africa managing director Paul McCusker said: “Fluence’s battery storage technology solves today’s energy challenges by adding fast, flexible capacity to networks in transition.

“Working together with our partners we make cleaner, more efficient and more resilient energy networks a reality.”