Dynamic energy storage — A UK first

For intermittent power sources like wind and solar, the challenge is to connect and integrate this kind of generation while still meeting the required grid stability and reliability, particularly at a low reserve capacity level. This requires viable solutions of electrical energy storage both for distributed and bulk power applications. UK Power Networks has installed a dynamic energy storage system at a site in Norfolk in England in collaboration with ABB, and Durham University. The system is located in an 11 kV network with considerable penetration of wind power. The paper highlights some grid characteristics, offers salient design features of the energy storage and gives some results from commissioning and the first power exchanges carried out. It also discusses uses of the installation in the 11 kV grid with the aim of harnessing wind power more efficiently than was possible before. (7 pages)