National Grid is bringing forward the connection dates for 10GW of batteries under a new approach that allows them to connect to the transmission network before non-essential grid upgrades are completed.
The previous approach assumed batteries could charge during peak times and discharge when renewable output is high, exacerbating demand peaks and network constraints. In exchange for faster connections, the selected batteries will be subject to occasional curtailment by the Electricity System Operator (ESO) to prevent this from happening.
National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) said 19 battery storage projects will benefit from the new arrangements. On average, they will be offered plug in dates four years earlier than their current agreements.
The company said a further tranche of projects – primarily batteries and hybrid projects where they are co-located with wind or solar generation – will be offered accelerated transmission connections in the new year. It said this second phase could bring forward the connections for another 10GW.
NGET president Alice Delahunty said: “Bringing these battery projects forward is one of a range of actions that our electricity transmission business is delivering alongside the system operator and wider industry to unlock clean energy capacity in England and Wales.
“We’re really encouraged by the recognition these early joint steps by our industry are receiving. They’re paving the way for the more fundamental connections reform that we’re collectively working with government and the regulator to deliver to keep Britain on track for a secure, affordable and net zero energy system.”
The new approach to storage connections is one of the flagship policies from National Grid ESO’s five-point plan to speed up connections, which also includes an amnesty for stalled projects on the Transmission Entry Capacity register. In August, the ESO confirmed that it had identified 8GW of projects that could be removed the connections queue at a cost of £40 million.
The following month, National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) announced that 10GW of projects would be offered faster connections to its distribution network under a new agreement with the ESO.
The company said projects that necessitated additional reinforcements to the transmission network would be offered non-firm connections that would leave them subject to curtailment on the windiest and sunniest days when there is too much generation on the system. It said these interim arrangements would be replaced with firm connections as network capacity increased.
In the latest update, NGED said it has already been in contact with more than 200 projects interested in fast-tracking their connection date as part of the first release of capacity. It said 16 have expressed an interest in connecting within the next 12 months, while another 180 projects are looking to connect within two to five years.
The company is now inviting more projects to come forward and express an interest in accelerating their connections as part of the second release.
NGED president Cordi O’Hara said: “We’re delighted that so many customers have already expressed an interest in taking advantage of this additional capacity to accelerate the connection dates for their low carbon technologies.
“But we’re not stopping there. Our second expression of interest will extend the offer to even more customers who will be able to benefit from our more agile approach to connections, enabling the UK to install the renewable generation needed to decarbonise the electricity system by 2035.”