100MW of energy storage in the West Midlands, England. Wärtsilä for renewable energy integration

Wärtsilä will supply 100MW/200MWh of energy storage systems to UK-based Pivot Power, part of larger group EDF Renewables, for its next two projects in the West Midlands, England, to support the roll-out of Pivot Power’s innovative Energy Superhub model. 

Wärtsilä (here some recent PG projects in Italy) will install batteries at two sites in the city of Coventry and the borough of Sandwell, on the outskirts of Birmingham. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in the second quarter of 2021. 

Not only the West Midlands: Wärtsilä works well with Pivot Power

These new systems are a continuation of Wärtsilä’s strong track record of collaboration with Pivot Power. Wärtsilä is already delivering 100MW of energy storage for two Pivot Power projects – Energy Superhub Oxford (ESO), where Wärtsilä is providing 50MW of energy storage systems, and a further 50MW in Kemsley, Kent.

The ESO project will include the world’s largest lithium-ion and vanadium-flow hybrid grid-scale energy storage system, in partnership with Invinity Energy Systems. The hybrid battery is supporting the development of a high-powered EV charging network delivering power to key locations across the city, and will share a connection to the high-voltage electricity transmission network.

Flexibility is the key to achieving 100% renewables and decarbonising the economy. Our energy storage systems help leading innovators like Pivot Power turn these ambitions into reality. The enhanced flexibility this project will provide is precisely what we need to accelerate our cost-optimal pathway to 100% renewable energy. This second partnership project with Pivot Power shows Wärtsilä’s commitment to helping the UK decarbonise its electricity generation and means we can roll out more energy storage infrastructure to support the UK grid

Andy Tang, Vice President, Energy Storage & Optimisation, Wärtsilä

The UK: an optimal market opportunity for energy storage

Energy storage is crucial to meet the UK Government’s new 2035 target to reduce emissions by 78%. To reach this, all electricity production will need to be zero carbon by 2035. The Energy Superhub projects will help enhance the reliability of the UK’s electricity system and cost-effectively integrate more renewable generation. The Energy Superhub network could provide up to 10% of the storage capacity the UK is predicted to need by 2050 and will help to create a smarter, more flexible grid, which could save up to GBP 40 billion.

The UK is an optimal market opportunity for energy storage. Research from Wärtsilä found that income received by energy storage providers in the UK was up by 21% during the first coronavirus lockdown in 2020. The variable market conditions during the lockdown presented an example of what the UK’s energy system could look like as more renewable energy is adopted and supported by energy storage.