Wednesday 26 February 2020

United Utilities to install UK water sector’s ‘biggest battery’

United Utilities to install UK water sector’s ‘biggest battery’

Zenobe Energy is to provide water company United Utilities with what it claims is the largest battery in the UK's water sector to date.

The battery storage owner and operator says the 2MW battery will enable more resilient water operations once it becomes fully active by the end of May.

It will connect to solar panels at Clifton Marsh wastewater treatment works in Preston, Lancashire, which serves 260,000 local homes and businesses.

Smart software will be employed to optimise any excess onsite solar, trade in a range of electricity markets to support National Grid, provide power resilience, reduce costs for customers and save at least 6,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the life of the 15-year contract.

Steve Slavin, Head of Renewable Energy at United Utilities, said: "Having an electricity storage facility on-site is really useful. It means we can make the most of any available green energy.

"Not only is that good for the environment it’s good for our business too. Energy is one of a water company’s largest operational costs.

"By generating our own power, we can protect United Utilities from a volatile energy market, which will allow us to predict our cost of treatment and stabilise bills for our customers."

Written by

Bruna Pinhoni

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