Edina delivers 10MW battery energy storage project for infrastructure developer ForePower

Infrastructure developer and operator ForePower is supporting the UK's energy transition by balancing the UK electricity network with the energisation of its latest flexible battery energy storage plant supplied by Edina, a leading solutions provider and systems integrator for battery energy storage solutions.

Doncaster Power, the 10MW / 10MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) project is now completed and handed over to UK infrastructure developer ForePower and is in commercial operation.

The 10MW 1-hour duration BESS project, built on disused industrial land in South Yorkshire, UK, is providing a range of ancillary balancing services within the Capacity Market, Dynamic Services (Dynamic Containment, Dynamic Moderation, Dynamic Regulation) and Wholesale markets to ensure power security, system flexibility and accelerate renewable energy integration as the UK moves towards decarbonisation.

Edina, a system integrator for BESS and on-site generation solution provider for hydrogen-ready gas engines, designed, engineered, supplied, and installed three modular outdoor skids with CATL lithium ion phosphate (LFP) battery cell chemistry, liquid-cooled thermal management system, battery management system and UL certified fire detection and suppression systems. These skids were combined with skid mounted SMA inverter systems. The solution includes a 33kV package substation provided by Ormazabal.

The compact footprint of the Edina modular BESS reduces footprint by 40% when compared with conventional container designs. Because of this, site installation efficiency is improved by 40%.

Project Challenges

From the initial tender drawing the site layout was reduced to accommodate future site expansion. The reduced footprint meant positioning of the battery skids challenging but overcome using a 350-ton crane and removing the existing fence line.

Ducting from the switchroom to the Distributed Network Operator (DNO) substation passed through an adjacent power station. The proposed excavation route identified several obstacles, and a new cable duct route was agreed and laid.

Following completion of the power system studies, carried out by Edina, and working collaboratively with the DNO, a solution was agreed that omitted the need for the fault limiting reactor thus reducing the project cost and lessoned impact on project completion time.

The installation design required an “above ground” installation because of the contaminated nature of the ground conditions. The initial envisaged / proposed underground cable ducted solution was replaced with above ground cable solutions.

Hugh Richmond, CEO, Edina, said, "Working closely with ForePower, the Edina team navigated an install process which included the proximity to rail assets, contaminated land, numerous existing services, road closures and integration onto the HV network to deliver a scheme that all of our suppliers and staff should rightly be proud of."

Supporting the Energy Transition

Doncaster Power BESS scheme was a fantastic opportunity for Edina to expand into new territory and forge new partnerships with a client, suppliers, and contractors.

From the early installed civils’ works which maximised space, to the pre-built and well laid out pre-packaged switchgear and modular solutions for battery skids, the whole Edina team worked tirelessly to ensure we brought the best of our knowledge of modular construction and off-site pre-assembly from the gas engine industry into the new arena of battery storage.

From development through to design and commissioning, the whole team worked in synergy and have shown their commitment to future power solutions in a rapidly evolving industry.