A new stage for the British electricity system began with the connection of the Thurrock storage project to the National Grid transmission network. This battery, developed by Statera Energy, represents the largest battery energy the UK’s largest battery energy storage system (BESS) (BESS) in the UK with a capacity of 300 MW and a total energy of 600 MWh.
End of the coal legacy
The facility is located at the Tilbury substation in Essex, an infrastructure that previously supported coal-fired power plants. coal-fired power stations and is now witnessing the decarbonization of the energy system. The connection of this battery symbolizes a structural change in the use of energy space and in the way security of supply is ensured in the southeast of England.
Thurrock Storage is able to store surplus electricity generated by renewable sources and release it at times of high demand, contributing to the balance and stability of the grid. With a capacity to supply up to 680,000 homes, it plays a key role in the integration of intermittent solar and wind power into the UK’s electricity system.
Statera expands its strategy with Tilbury’s BESS system
To facilitate the connection of this large load to the transmission system, National Grid upgraded the Tilbury substation. Advanced protection and control systems were installed, ensuring robust and safe operation of the BESS under conditions of demand variability.
The project is part of a broader strategy of Statera to develop flexible power solutions. Currently, work is underway on a new 450 MW flexible generation plant, also connected to Tilbury, which will complement the battery system and will expand the national system’s ability to respond to fluctuations in renewable generation.
With this development, Tilbury reaffirms itself as a strategic point in the evolution of the UK’s energy mix, moving away from coal and towards backup solutions based on clean technology and smart storage.
Source and photo: National Grid
