NEC Energy Solutions, Inc says it has signed a contract to build and operate a total of 50 MW of energy storage projects with VLC Energy, a new joint venture company created by Low Carbon, a renewable energy investment company, and VPI Immingham, the owner of one of the largest combined heat and power plants in Europe and part of the Vitol Group. The projects, which include a 40 MW facility in Glassenbury, UK and a 10 MW installation in Cleator, UK, will be the largest portfolio of battery sites connected to the UK grid once operational later this year.


The projects may look similar to the illustration and will include a 40 MW facility in Glassenbury, UK, and a 10 MW installation in Cleator, UK. These will be the largest portfolio of battery sites connected to the UK grid once operational later this year.

The Cleator and Glassenbury sites secured two contracts with National Grid in August 2016 for battery energy storage systems to provide Enhanced Frequency Response (EFR) to the UK system operator. NEC ES will provide turnkey EPC and O&M services which include its GSS grid storage solution, installation and commissioning, and ten years of operations and maintenance services for each project.

The facilities will be operated by NEC ES under the new EFR guidelines, will provide seasonal Triad avoidance services and will also participate in other markets. Project execution is already underway and the systems are expected to be installed and operational in November 2017.

Justin Thesiger, Operations Director, at Low Carbon, said, “These battery sites will pave the way for more renewable energy sources, such as solar power and wind energy, to be connected to the UK’s overall power mix by helping balance energy supply and demand more effectively. This, in turn, should help to challenge the causes of climate change and meet growing demand for renewable energy.”