Europe’s biggest battery storage system switched on

What is thought to be Europe’s biggest battery energy storage system has begun operating near Hull.

The site, said to be able to store enough electricity to power 300,000 homes for two hours, went online at Pillswood, Cottingham, on Monday.

Its launch was brought forward four months as the UK faces possible energy shortages this winter.

The facility was developed by North Yorkshire renewable power firm Harmony Energy using technology made by Tesla.

Battery energy storage systems hold electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind turbines and solar farms before releasing it at times of high customer demand.

The Pillswood facility has the capacity to store up to 196 MWh energy in a single cycle.

It has been built next to the National Grid’s Creyke Beck substation, which will be connected to Dogger Bank, the world’s largest offshore wind farm, when it launches in the North Sea later this decade.

Photo: The battery energy storage system in Cottingham || Harmony Energy