A new multi-million pound energy storage array is to be built in Fife.
AES UK & Ireland’s application to build an advanced battery plant on land near Auchtertool has received planning permission in principle from the local authority.
The facility will be housed in an agricultural style building and its inverters and battery storage array will allow it to store up to 49.95 megawatts of power.
Although permission has been granted in principle for the development, AES will have to submit a further detailed application for consideration before works on site can commence.
The facility will connect to the grid through the Glenniston substation.
It is designed to take in and store electrical energy in times of surplus generation, and return power to the grid during times of high demand.
AES said it was pleased with the decision of the council to provide approval in principle for the array.
“AES UK & Ireland will construct and operate an additional 50 megawatts energy storage array in the United Kingdom, to be sited in the Fife council area of Scotland,” the firm stated.
It added: Following consultation with the local community the energy storage array will be housed in an agricultural style building.
“AES will deliver the project using Advancion 4, AES’ fourth generation battery-based energy storage platform and recipient of the Edison Electric Institute’s 2016 International Edison Award.
“Advancion is a smart, dependable and cost competitive alternative to peaking power plants that improves existing electric infrastructure and unlocks the value of existing clean energy resources.”
AES UK and Ireland is part of AES Corporation, a New York Stock Exchange-listed Fortune 200 power company that has interests in 17 countries worldwide.
The company currently operates one other energy storage array in the UK, at Kilroot in Northern Ireland where it also runs a major power station.
The 10MW array began operating early last year and AES describes it as a “crucial first step” towards a planned 100MW array, which would be the largest facility of its kind in in Europe.