Renewable energy developer, Bluestone Energy, has proposed a new battery energy storage system at Scottish Water's Airdrie Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) in North Lanarkshire.

The battery energy storage system at Airdrie WWTW would play an important role in balancing supply and demand. The battery energy storage system would charge to store excess generated electricity when demand is low and discharge to release stored electricity when demand is high.

This flexibility is important to provide security of supply, which is vital alongside the increased deployment of intermittent renewable energy assets, as we move away from utilising coal and gas generation. The battery energy storage system would also provide niche services to support the day to day operation of the electricity network.

The Airdrie WWTW battery energy storage system would consist of 14 units providing a combined capacity of 49.9MW / 49.9MWh. The project will consist of a control room to allow for operation and maintenance of the system and associated electrical infrastructure to facilitate a connection to Scottish Power Electricity Networks' substation at Coatbridge.

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The public consultation with local stakeholders is being scheduled for later this year and the application for consent will be submitted in Q1 2023. Andy MacPherson, Managing Director at Bluestone Energy, said: "Rapid deployment of flexible assets such as battery energy storage are essential in Scotland delivering net zero by 2045. The Airdrie Waste Water Treatment Works battery energy storage system could provide low cost green electricity to consumers and minimise our demand for imported electricity and gas."

Donald MacBrayne, Business Development Manager of Scottish Water Horizons, said: "We are delighted to be able to work with Bluestone Energy on this exciting project by facilitating it at our site in Airdrie.

"These projects align with Scottish Water's ambitions to be net zero by 2040 and go beyond by working in partnership with others to reduce their emissions too. By taking this approach we can all make significant contributions to Scotland's net zero goals.

"The Airdrie site was chosen to host the battery energy storage system due to suitable land and close proximity to Scottish Power Electricity Networks substation with an available point of connection and network capacity.

"Although the project is on Scottish Water's land, the battery energy storage system does not provide any power directly to Scottish Water. However, Scottish Water have agreed a land lease deal to host the project, with revenue received being reinvested in renewable projects for the benefit of customers."

This project is one of six battery energy storage systems across Scottish Water sites, which are being facilitated by Scottish Water Horizons, the public utility's commercial subsidiary. Three proposals have already been submitted to the Scottish Government for battery energy storage systems at Scottish Water's Laighpark WWTW, Stanely Water Treatment Works (WTW) and Linwood Waste Water Pumping Station (WWPS). These projects form part of a joint development agreement with Macquarie Asset Management's Green Investment Group to develop in excess of 2 GW of battery energy storage capacity throughout the UK.