Statkraft to build Ireland's first four-hour grid-scale battery

Statkraft is to build Ireland’s first four-hour grid-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) in Co. Offaly. 

The 20MW BESS, supplied by Fluence, will be co-located with Statkraft’s 55.8MW Cushaling Wind Farm. The wind project is currently under construction. 

The battery project will support EirGrid to ensure network stability by delivering “fast-acting system services as more non-synchronous renewable generation comes online”, a Statkraft statement said. 

This system is designed to provide 20MW for up to four hours. Most grid-scale batteries currently deployed in Ireland range from 30 minutes to two hours of energy storage capacity. 

Construction of the battery project is expected to be completed by late 2024.

Kevin O’Donovan, managing director of Statkraft Ireland, said: “It’s very exciting to add another battery project to our growing portfolio of storage projects. The longer-duration storage capability of this project shows that Statkraft continues to innovate and embrace advancement in battery technology.”

Brian Perusse, managing director of Fluence Energy Ireland Ltd, added: “The continuous advancements in energy storage technology are astounding and the technology is well positioned to serve both flexibility and peak capacity needs in the market.”

‍