Plans for a new battery energy storage facility in Cumberland has been approved by the local authority’s planning committee.
The application from Net Zero Seventeen has plans to build a facility on agricultural land at West Farm near Aspatria, Cumbria.
The planned development will store energy generated by renewables like wind and solar panels, with hopes that the power stored could provide for almost 162,000 homes for two hours.
Using a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), the proposal will see the site be operational for 40 years on the 7.4ha site and will be home to 56 battery units.
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According to the original proposal Net Zero Seventeen said: “The benefits are seen on a national scale and beyond, constituting renewable energy infrastructure that serves the national grid and helps contribute towards the government’s Net Zero target.
“The proposed development will also facilitate the storage of electrical energy to power approximately 161,897 homes for two hours – 129% of the total households within Cumberland. “Current BESS batteries are estimated to have a lifetime cycle of circa 10 years but as the technology continues to improve the application is based on an operational lifespan of 40 years.”
The battery storage compound will consist of batteries that can store energy and are able to release or absorb energy from the power network, which will help balance out demand on the National Grid.
The energy will be used during periods of high demand when there is not enough power.
The batteries are discharged to balance under frequency preventing black and brown outs.
To balance over frequency batteries are charged to store electricity which is not required at the time of generation.
A spokesperson for Net Zero Seventeen said the development was ‘much needed’ and would help to meet the need to increase energy security.
The new facility will include battery storage containers, control rooms, a road for site access, and landscaping.
The site will be one of hundreds that have already been built across the UK.
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