UK Power Networks has constructed a new dynamic electrical energy-storage device at a site north of Hemsby in the county of Norfolk. The high-tech plant is designed to harness power from local wind turbines and store it in special batteries so that it can be returned into the electricity distribution network when it's needed — not just when the wind blows.

This is the first example of an energy-storage system based on lithium-ion batteries in the United Kingdom and is among the first in Western Europe. It uses the DynaPeaQ (formerly known as SVC Light with Energy Storage) technology to convert energy into a form where it can be stored in lithium-ion batteries manufactured by Saft.

The eight stacks of 13-battery modules are housed in a 25-sq m (269-sq ft) substation-type building, and are being charged and discharged repeatedly, storing up to 200 kWh of electrical energy. This energy is kept in reserve for times of need, such as to support power supplies to Norfolk customers in the event of a fault on the electricity network, or for improved power-flow management into the network in a consistent way. (Wind power is naturally produced in erratic peaks and troughs, which can be problematic for the energy industry.)

The device is also good news for the environment. If the U.K. can maximize the use of green energy such as wind power, it could allow more renewable-energy sources to be connected into the network and ultimately lessen the need for coal-fired power stations, thereby reducing carbon emissions.

Peter Lang, from UK Power Networks' Future Networks team, said: “Hemsby is an ideal location to test the effectiveness of this technology because we can harness power from two local wind farms. The renewable energy is fed into the network supplied from Martham.

“While many documents have been written about the theoretical benefits of energy storage, the Hemsby installation will enable us to demonstrate how, in practice, these benefits can be realized when applied to a real network.

“Now that our device has been officially switched on, its effectiveness will be carefully monitored by experts at Durham University. If it is proved to be successful, the design could be replicated in future, across many coastal parts of the U.K. where wind farms connect to the electricity network.”

The project was made possible with funding from Ofgem's Innovation Funding Incentive scheme, which allows UK Power Networks to invest a proportion of its regulated funds on research and development. The incentive aims to improve the technical performance of the electricity distribution networks.

Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk.