Ireland – RWE Renewables’ first European-based battery storage project has entered full operations in Ireland.
The 8.5 megawatt hour (MWh) battery storage facility will be capable of providing a rapid delivery of electricity into the power grid. This balances fluctuations resulting from the growing proportion of electricity generated by intermittent renewables.
First system, out of two
The site is located in Stephenstown, Balbriggan, in County Dublin. It is the first of two battery storage facilities that RWE will bring online in Ireland this year.
Cathal Hennessy, Country Chair, RWE Renewables Ireland, said: “Ireland is an excellent starting point for RWE Renewables as we look to expand and grow our battery storage technology business and become a key partner in Ireland’s low carbon energy transition.”
Stephenstown battery storage
The Stephenstown battery storage plant will provide critical system services to help ensure a smooth flow of electricity into the grid, as Ireland continues its transition into renewable energies. In the first half of 2020 Irish onshore wind farms generated nearly 37% of the country’s electricity needs, making Ireland an important market for onshore wind. Ireland has set a target of generating 70% renewable electricity by 2030. Deployment of battery storage like Stephenstown, will be capable of responding in milliseconds to frequency changes, importing or exporting electricity from the grid as needed, and helping efficiently stabilize the grid, while guaranteeing reliable electricity supply for users.
