Pivot Power to build ‘world first’ battery network
An energy start-up has secured investment to build what will be world’s largest battery network.
An energy start-up has secured investment to build what will be world’s largest battery network.
UK-based Pivot Power has unveiled plans to construct the 2 gigawatt project, which will see new grid-scale batteries and rapid charging stations installed across the country.
This is designed to support the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and help the National Grid work more flexibly in response to renewable energy.
The UK Government announced plans last year to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2040.
Pivot Power’s £1.6 billion programme will see 50 megawatt batteries constructed at 45 sites, located near major towns and roads to also help supply new rapid EV charging stations.
The ambitious plan represents a major leap forward in the transition to clean energy, and dwarfs existing battery projects in the UK. The network will be able to store roughly two thirds the energy of the planned Hinkley C nuclear power plant.
If successful, it will also be the world’s largest, meeting the energy needs of 235,000 homes for a day.
Graeme Cooper at National Grid said: “We expect the use of electric vehicles to grow rapidly. This innovative solution will help accelerate adoption by providing a network of rapid charging stations across the country enabling cars to charge quickly, efficiently and as cost-effectively as possible.
“It will also give the system operator more choice and flexibility for managing the demands in the day to day running of the network, and also help mass EV charging”.
The company aims to have batteries up and running at 10 sites within the next 18 months. A site in Southampton on England’s south coast could be built by 2019 if it secures planning permission.
Pivot Power’s CEO Matt Allen said: “We want to future-proof the UK’s energy system and accelerate the electric vehicle revolution, helping the UK to clean up its air and meet climate targets. Big problems require big solutions, and we are moving fast to put in place a unique network to support a clean, affordable, secure energy system and embrace the low-carbon economy.”
Energy entrepreneur Michael Liebreich, an early investor in the project, said: “Pivot Power were quick to understand the scale and nature of the opportunity and have positioned themselves brilliantly.”
Photo Credit: Nick Birse/Wikimedia Commons
