Invinity Energy Systems will soon install a 7MW/30MWh vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) system, dubbed UK’s largest grid-scale battery.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) granted the battery maker £11 million ($13.7 million) in funding for the project, per the press release.
It is worth noting that the Longer Duration Energy Storage Demonstration (“LODES”) Competition will provide the said funds along with Invinity’s project partner.
“We are grateful that Invinity was chosen from a very competitive field and look forward to delivering what will be the largest battery ever manufactured in the UK. We are pleased to help improve the UK’s energy security, further demonstrate UK leadership in energy technology, and support UK industry and jobs. This award is a critical step in Invinity’s journey from development stage to a commercial supplier of batteries critical to the global path to net-zero.”
Chief Commercial Officer Matt Harper
About the project
Vanadium Flow Battery technology from Invinity will apparently be used in the grid-scale battery storage project. This technology offers long-duration, non-degrading energy storage and renewable energy systems management-suitable.
Invinity claims its battery tech is nearly 100% recyclable and will endure for over 25 years.
In addition, over 7 MW of power can be delivered on demand thanks to Invinity’s 30 MWh system power battery technology. Remarkably, 2,500 houses could be powered by the energy it can store for more than two hours.
The battery maker plans to build the grid-scale battery at its West Lothian factory. Meanwhile, it will be installed at the Hilltop Energy Centre in Cowdown, Hampshire, by Invinity and energy storage developer Pivot Power.
Notably, they will install the battery in the current power infrastructure on the site. When demand is at its highest, it will be a vital backup system for the National Grid.
Per projections, the battery will be the longest-lasting battery asset linked to the UK grid when it goes active in 2025.
“This investment is a clear signal from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero that long-duration energy storage [LDES] will play a vital role in delivering a secure and affordable UK energy transition.
The UK is already an LDES pioneer, with market conditions that provide a positive environment to support these new technologies to reach maturity at scale and pace, and deliver real impact this decade.
This investment could prove to be a pivotal moment for the UK’s energy grid, and we hope to see it have global ramifications, to stimulate more of this type of investment into LDES around the world. “
LDES Council CEO, Julia Souder
The UK set a net zero emission target on the country’s electricity sector by 2035. To achieve that, it has invested over £390 million since 2021, shutting down its wind farms to manage grid curtailment during periods of excess supply and using gas power plants to make up the difference.
