Statkraft Launches Ireland’s First Four-Hour Grid-Scale Battery Storage System

Ireland’s renewable energy infrastructure received a significant boost with the launch of Statkraft’s 22.8-megawatt Battery Electric Storage System (BESS) at its Cushaling Wind Farm in County Offaly. This marks the first four-hour grid-scale battery storage system in the country, addressing a key challenge in renewable energy integration: intermittency.

Addressing Wind Energy Waste

Statkraft, Europe’s largest producer of renewable energy, estimates that between 10% and 14% of Ireland’s wind energy is currently wasted annually. This occurs when wind turbines are curtailed – switched off – during periods of low electricity demand, even when sufficient wind is available. The new battery system aims to capture this excess energy and release it when demand, and prices, are higher, according to Kevin O’Donovan, Managing Director of Statkraft in Ireland [RTE].

Rapid Response and Grid Stability

The Cushaling BESS isn’t just about capturing wasted energy; its speed is a critical advantage. The entire system can be activated in less than one-tenth of a second – faster than the blink of an eye – responding to Eirgrid’s needs and bolstering grid stability [RTE]. This rapid response time is crucial for mitigating the impact of sudden changes in renewable energy production caused by weather events or equipment outages.

Cushaling: A Hybrid Clean Energy Hub

Statkraft’s Cushaling Wind Farm, with a capacity of 55.8 megawatts, is located near the Edenderry power station. The company is further developing the site into a fully hybridised clean energy hub by planning to build a large solar farm, starting this year. The four-hour battery system will be capable of storing electricity generated from both the wind farm and the future solar farm [RTE]. This evolution from short-duration to long-duration energy storage represents a significant step forward for the Irish electricity market [Memesita].

Investment and Future Plans

Statkraft has invested over €1 billion in renewable energy projects in Ireland since 2018, encompassing onshore wind, offshore wind, solar, battery storage, and electricity grid services [RTE]. The company also plans to establish a dedicated sustainability fund to support local initiatives near the Cushaling site [RTE].

Key Takeaways

• Ireland now has its first four-hour grid-scale battery storage system.
• The system can store enough power to supply 10,000 homes for four hours.
• It addresses the issue of wind energy curtailment, reducing waste and potentially lowering electricity costs.
• The Cushaling site is evolving into a hybrid renewable energy hub with wind, solar, and battery storage.
• Statkraft has invested significantly in Irish renewable energy infrastructure.