Kilroot super-battery can support grid in event of '˜terror attack'

AES UK & Ireland officially opened its pilot 10MW energy storage array at the Carrick plant this morning.

The array was completed last month and utilises the Advancion 4 energy storage solution via some 53,000 batteries, arranged in over 130 separate cells.

“The array will enable the storage and release of power at the times when it is most needed, without contributing to emissions,” said John Zahurancik, president of AES Energy Storage. “This is all part of supporting a low carbon grid.”

The array can also support the power grid in the event of extreme factors, such as adverse weather or a terror attack, he added.

The company is now moving towards the development of a larger 100MW array, which it is aiming to launch in approximately two year’s time.

“This would be a scaled up version of the 10MW array,” said Carla Tully, president of AES UK & Ireland.

Meanwhile, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, along with Junior Ministers, Jennifer McCann and Emma Pengelly visited the facility this afternoon.

Speaking after a tour of the plant, Mr McGuinness said: “The energy environment is constantly changing and energy storage has the potential to benefit all of us by lowering costs, helping the environment and improving security of supply to our homes and businesses.

“The energy storage array in Kilroot Power Station is a highly innovative project with the potential to deliver the largest battery energy storage array in these islands, with plans for this 10 megawatt pilot to be scaled up to 100 megawatts. This could make a significant contribution to managing our electricity demands in the future.

“It is also an important factor as we look to decarbonise our energy supplies with claims a 100 megawatt array could lead to over 123,000 tonnes of carbon savings annually. I thank AES and congratulate them on their achievements and wish them every success with their proposals for full-scale deployment of the array.”