PLANS have been submitted for a new energy storage facility in Hammerwich.
The proposals are for land west of Lions Den and would see the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) created alongside a security fence and associated infrastructure.
A planning statement said the facility would help manage energy needs:
“The National Grid operates a ‘balancing service’ required to balance demand and supply and ensure the security and quality of the electricity supply across its transmission system.
“System frequency is a continuously changing variable that is determined and controlled by the second-by-second real-time balance between system demand and total generation. If demand is greater than generation, the frequency falls while if generation is greater than demand, the frequency rises.
“The National Grid has a licence obligation to control frequency within the limits specified in the Electricity Supply Regulations so must therefore ensure that sufficient generation and demand is held in automatic readiness to manage all credible circumstances that might result in frequency variations.
“The proposed energy storage scheme at the site will assist towards controlling the frequency by either charging or discharging its stored energy as and when required.
“Development of the battery project therefore provides a valuable local and national service, helping to ensure there is a continuous supply of energy to meet demand at all times.
“Importantly, battery storage schemes also allow more renewable energy production to be integrated into the system. The variable supply that is inherent in renewables creates peaks and troughs in electricity production.
“Battery storage facilities such as the one proposed allows for any peaks and troughs in electricity supply and can respond at short notice to requests from National Grid to supply electricity when renewable sources are not generating.”
Full details can be seen on Lichfield District Council’s planning website.
