June 12, 2018 | News Brief | UK Power Reserve has partnered with Fluence, a provider of energy storage technology and services, to deliver the first phase of its 120 MW battery storage portfolio. This partnership represents the single largest energy storage portfolio transaction with one technology provider announced in the UK to date.
The UK’s flexibility provider is starting construction on the first 60 MW of its battery portfolio, a total of 120 MW were secured in the 2016 Capacity Market auction, which will provide flexibility and security for UK power markets by delivering much-needed stability to the grid. Fluence will provide three 20 MW battery energy storage systems at sites in the Midlands and North West using its Advancion energy storage technology platform. All three sites are expected to be operational during winter 2018/19.
UK Power Reserve’s total contracted portfolio recently broke through the Gigawatt ceiling, one of the largest of its kind globally: a combination of small-scale, nimble gas-fired power plants and battery storage facilities located near centers of demand. These flexible, low-carbon assets are more important than ever to support the growth of renewables, providing vital back-up power at the best value to consumers.
The company was recently acquired by Sembcorp Industries, a utilities, marine, and urban development group with a global presence. In the UK, Sembcorp’s integrated energy business brings together centralized power, steam and water supply as well as industrial site services at the Wilton International site on Teesside, with UK Power Reserve’s multiple flexible assets across the country. Collectively, the business’ expertise extends across the full spectrum of the UK’s energy markets.
Fluence’s Advancion platform is an industrial strength energy storage solution designed to provide the highest dependability for long-term operations. Coupled with Fluence’s highly experienced team providing operations and maintenance services to UK Power Reserve, the projects will support system reliability throughout the 15-year duration of the Capacity Market contracts. Advancion is also designed to adapt with changes in the market, providing UK Power Reserve with ultra-fast response flexible assets that will enable the company to offer additional services as the needs of the grid or market conditions change.
Fluence, a Siemens and AES company, is the most experienced energy storage technology and services provider in the world. It has more than a decade of experience in deploying turnkey storage solutions across the globe, including the largest lithium-ion battery-based energy storage system in North America and the first grid-scale energy storage system on the island of Ireland.
The partnership brings together extensive industry expertise and local market knowledge to deliver long-lasting and reliable energy storage solutions for the UK energy system. UK Power Reserve boasts a strong track record in project delivery, having brought all of its 2014 Capacity Market contracts online nearly a year ahead of schedule, and the development of its 2015 and 2016 Capacity Market commitments are already well underway.
