Completion of UK's '˜biggest battery' at Kilroot

The interior of the AES Array in the United States. The Carrick project will be officially unveiled in February. INCT 02-751-CON

The Kilroot Advancion® Energy Storage Array provides 10 megawatts (MW) of interconnected energy storage, equivalent to 20 MW of flexible resource.

It uses the Advancion 4 energy storage solution, a complete, battery-based alternative to peaking power plants that, according to AES, provides a dependable, smart and cost-competitive means to support a reliable, low carbon electricity system for the Northern Ireland economy.

The Array, which utilises over 53,000 batteries, represents a significant investment in the future of the province’s energy infrastructure by the operator of Kilroot and Ballylumford Power Stations.

Carla Tully, president of AES UK & Ireland, said: “Since 1992, AES has helped to keep the lights on in Northern Ireland and we have a history of providing our customers with innovative solutions.

“Our investment in the largest battery energy storage array on these islands represents an important advancement in providing safe, reliable, cost effective and emission free power.”

John Zahurancik, president of AES Energy Storage, said: “As the UK and the Republic of Ireland look for innovative ways to strengthen the electric grid while reducing costs and system-wide emissions, we’re pleased to deliver Advancion as a part of the solution.”

This, according to the company, is the crucial first step towards a planned 100 MW energy storage array adjacent to Kilroot Power Station, which would be among the largest in the world.