Pivot Power activates 50MW of battery storage in Kent

Pivot Power, part of EDF, has activated a new 50MW/50MWh battery energy storage system at its site in Kent.

According to Pivot Power, the site will aim to support the transition to a decarbonised electricity system and accelerate the UK’s net zero future.

The 50MW lithium-ion battery energy storage system is directly connected to National Grid’s high-voltage transmission network at the Kemsley substation in Kent and will look to provide flexibility to support the integration of more renewables and future-proof the UK’s electricity system.

The company is part of EDF Renewables, Wärtsilä, the global technology company, which has supplied its advanced battery energy storage technology for the project coupled with GEMS Digital Energy Platform, which leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to enable the intelligent management of energy systems.

EDF’s Powershift platform will provide the route to market services for Pivot Power to maximise revenues from the battery across ancillary services (including Dynamic Containment and Reactive Power), wholesale optimisation and the Balancing Mechanism.

The Kemsley battery storage system is the second to go live as part of Pivot Power’s plans to deploy up to 40 similar sites throughout the UK, providing up to 2GW of flexible capacity. It supports EDF Renewables’ strategic plans to develop an additional 10GW of battery storage globally by 2035.

Pivot Power’s first system, in Cowley, Oxford, went live in June 2021, and forms part of Energy Superhub Oxford – a project the company is leading to showcase rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging, battery storage, low carbon heating and smart energy management technologies.

Matt Allen, CEO of Pivot Power, said: “The expansion of our battery storage portfolio is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to future-proofing the UK’s energy system and accelerating a net zero future. Through this collaboration with Wärtsilä and EDF we are creating more of the low carbon infrastructure needed to manage the integration of renewables into the grid and power our lives with clean energy.”

Stuart Fenner, head of energy trading services at EDF, said: “EDF are delighted that the Kemsley battery site is successfully operational and providing essential flexibility to the energy system. We are proud to be optimising this asset with our Powershift platform and partnering with Pivot Power. This deal reinforces our commitment to helping Britain achieve net zero carbon emissions and supports our position as a leader in battery optimisation services in the UK.”