Ahead of the Scottish Renewables Onshore Wind Conference 2023, ITPEnergised presents an insights series on our current thoughts for this sector:

Part 1 – An Introduction to our services for onshore wind
Part 2 – Repowering – a call for EPC contractors & an opportunity to colocate
Part 3 – Grid connections for wind and battery developments
Part 4 – New ECU Guidance for wind and battery developments
Part 5 – The techno-economics of wind and battery colocation

Part 4 New ECU Guidance for wind and battery developments

As the UK continues its journey to net zero, the colocation of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with solar and wind developments has taken off as it aids in solving the problem of intermittencies in renewable energy generation. Colocation of BESS can control fluctuations in power output, so that renewable energy can be stored and released to the grid when demand is highest.  

In light of the new requirements specified by the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU), ITPEnergised has been supporting our onshore wind development clients in navigating the colocation of BESS alongside wind farm developments.

The ECU requires that if BESS is included as part the development, details of this will need to be provided at EIA Scoping stage. The details should include;

• scale;
• dimensions;
• location;
• minimum and maximum export capacity of megawatts; and
• megawatt hours of electricity storage.

Whist the environmental impacts of BESS are not likely to be as significant as the wind turbines, the assessment relating to the impacts and effects of BESS must be carefully considered through the EIA process. ITPEnergised’s Environmental Planning team can assist in identifying the relevant survey and assessment requirements for the colocation of BESS with wind turbines such as EIA, Ecology, Ornithology, Geology, Peat & Hydrology  and Noise. These are all services ITPEnergised can provide.

Our Renewable Technical Services (RTS) team can assist with techno-economic colocation optimisation as well as BESS design and modelling fulfilling the ECU requirements for a Section 36 application. Going forward, the inclusion of BESS will need to be established from the early stages of development and considered through the design iteration process alongside all other development infrastructure.

For more information, please contact Niamh Hurley at niamh.hurley@itpenergised.com, or Emma Bathgate at emma.bathgate@itpenergised.com.