Technology group Wärtsilä will supply a 300MW / 600MWh battery system under an Engineered Equipment Delivery (EEQ) contract to Zenobē, the EV fleet and battery storage specialist, in Kilmarnock.
The transaction covers Wärtsilä’s second contracted delivery of an energy storage system to Zenobē, and is one of Scotland’s largest to date.
It will be the first facility built with Wärtsilä’s Quantum High Energy, a next-generation energy storage system. QuantumHE provides increased energy density for Zenobē and is fitted with state-of-the-art features to ensure the highest level of safety for the surrounding community. It is is expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
The project will be delivered under the National Grid’s NOA Stability Pathfinder programme, which aims to cost-effectively address stability issues in the electricity system created by the increased adoption of intermittent renewable generation.
The latest device will help grid operators to better balance supply and demand and ensure that the country’s abundant wind generation is not wasted. The project is expected to abate 3,400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 15 years.
“Wärtsilä is proud to partner with Zenobē to accelerate the transition to renewable energy in Scotland,” said Andy Tang, vice president, Wärtsilä energy storage.
“This project brings Wärtsilä’s portfolio of energy storage assets in the United Kingdom over 2 gigawatt hours. We are committed to assisting customers in the UK reach their national decarbonisation targets through innovative energy storage solutions.”
The latest venture project follows the announcement in February 2023 of a 200 MW / 400 MWh energy storage system Wärtsilä will deliver to Zenobē in Blackhillock, Scotland. Now under construction, pictured, Blackhillock is on track to work by autumn 2024.
“Reaching this significant milestone demonstrates Zenobē’s commitment to better utilise wind power and support its growth by doubling Scotland’s battery storage capacity. Kilmarnock South will enhance the country’s position as a leader in delivering energy that is cost-effective, clean and efficient,” commented Zenobē’s founder James Basden.
The Kilmarnock South project is Wärtsilä’s second project being delivered to meet NOA Stability Pathfinder requirements. Wärtsilä’s intelligent energy management system, the GEMS Digital Energy Platform, will ease network constraints by importing electricity at times of peak renewable generation. GEMS’ data-based intelligence will enable Zenobē to participate in the most valuable UK electricity markets.
