KiWi Power unveils smart battery storage system
UK energy storage developer Kiwi Power has unveiled its largest behind the meter battery to date with the completion of the 4MW / 4.8MWh Tesla battery at Cenin Renewables in south Wales.
The multi-million-pound smart battery system took three months to build in order to provide firm frequency response (FFR) to National Grid after winning a two year contract offering 24 hour availability at £19/MW per hour beginning on 1 February.
The size of three shipping containers, the 4 MW system took three months to build and will provide balancing services to National Grid to regulate the frequency of Britain's electricity network.
KiWi Power said it "marks a significant milestone in the application of "˜behind-the-meter' smart battery technology in the UK, with capacity to store enough energy to power thousands of Welsh homes when needed, helping to build a low carbon economy in Wales".
The system is located at Cenin Renewables at Parc Stormy near Bridgend, a 20-acre cluster of integrated clean energy technologies that includes a solar farm, an anaerobic digestion plant and a wind turbine.
"This is all about having green energy in reserve and we are delighted to play our part delivering a reliable, sustainable power source whilst providing local economic development and helping Wales reach its low emissions targets," said Martyn Popham, Cenin managing director.
He added: "Smart batteries are both green and cost-effective, reducing the need for inefficient backup power stations by allowing excess energy to be stored and used when the sun isn't shining and the wind has stopped blowing".
Yoav Zingher, chief executive of KiWi Power, said the facility "is an exciting addition to KiWi Power's battery portfolio, and a key part of our strategy to develop, finance, build and monetise the highest value battery systems on customer sites across Europe".
"Our state-of-the-art technology enables large power users like Cenin to reap the rewards from battery energy storage, with no upfront investment or risk to them, reducing their bills and their carbon footprint".
