Rolls-Royce has begun construction on a large-scale battery energy storage facility in Falkirk, Scotland, marking the company’s first such project in the United Kingdom, the company stated.
The facility, being delivered under an engineering, procurement, and construction contract for Voltaria Helios Energy Storage, will have a capacity of 86 MWh and an output of 43 MW, which Rolls-Royce says is equivalent to the demand of around ten thousand homes. The system is expected to connect to the grid in 2026 and become operational in 2027, with Rolls-Royce maintaining it for 15 years.
The project will use the company’s mtu EnergyPack system, storing energy during periods of high renewable output and feeding it back into the grid at times of peak demand. Rolls-Royce said the facility would also help reduce the need to curtail wind generation during periods of oversupply.
Nigel Jefferson, CEO of Voltaria, was quoted as saying: “Rolls-Royce were selected because we were impressed by their commercial and technical offering, as well as their technical advice and engagement in the run-up to the decision, and their 15-year full-wrap long-term service agreement.”
He added: “Rolls-Royce has also leveraged the Scottish supply chain, which is great to see.”
Andreas Görtz, President of the Mobile & Sustainable business unit at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: “As a European turnkey integrator, we foster the energy transition by delivering storage solutions – from system design and EPC delivery to intelligent control and lifecycle support.”