Wednesday 3 June 2020

Supersize batteries to power wastewater treatment plant in UK with stored clean energy

Giant rechargeable batteries will soon power a British wastewater treatment plant with stored clean energy.

The 2MW batteries - each equivalent to the size of a shipping container - will power an array of solar panels at the United Utilities’ Clifton Marsh wastewater treatment works in Preston, Lancashire.

The plant will now be able to serve its 260,00 customers with round-the-clock services.

The batteries have been installed by UK-based Zenobē Energy and are expected to reduce up to 6,700 tonnes of CO2 emissions during the next 15 years.

Steve Slavin, Head of Renewable Energy at United Utilities, said: “Having an electricity storage facility on-site means we can make the most of any available green energy. That’s good for the environment and good for our business.

“The batteries will allow us to help the National Grid even out the peaks and troughs in power demand throughout the day. This is exactly the sort of innovation water companies need to be embracing if we are to meet the sector’s goal of zero net carbon emissions by 2030.”