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Wärtsilä will present a 68 MW power storage system beneath contract to Zenobē in Lerwick, Shetland. (The Shetland Islands, or Shetland, are situated about 110 miles from mainland Scotland.) The brand new system will enhance power safety, cut back emissions, and assist with shifting towards a cleaner, extra resilient energy system. In the UK, Zenobe is the main operator of grid-scale battery storage. Wärtsilä is an modern expertise chief within the power and marine markets.
Christopher Wolf, Director at Wärtsilä Power Storage, answered some questions concerning the Shetland Standby Undertaking.
For the 68 MW battery power storage system, what’s the length?
2 hours, utilizing Wärtsilä’s first deployment of Quantum2 within the UK.
What’s the battery chemistry?
Wärtsilä Power Storage makes use of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which have a better flash level and a slower fee of self-heating throughout thermal runaway. This makes them much less inclined to fireside threat.
What’s the battery system value and what’s going to it’s used for?
The system will primarily present Infrastructure companies to make sure grid backup and restoration capabilities if the interconnector with mainland Scotland goes down.
Commenting, Zenobē Founder Director James Basden mentioned: “…keep safety of provide, guaranteeing properties and companies proceed to obtain the facility they want within the occasion of a transmission system outage, whereas decreasing emissions and utilising extra renewables in Shetland…”
Commenting, SSEN Distribution’s Undertaking Supervisor Nathan Coote mentioned: “… to decarbonise Shetland’s grid whereas sustaining safety of provide… reassurance that in a deliberate outage, or within the occasion of there being a short lived situation with Shetland’s connection to mainland Scotland, energy to properties and companies will probably be maintained seamlessly, with the battery offering provide whereas Lerwick Energy Station is safely introduced out of standby.”
What number of jobs will probably be created for the set up?
Precise figures usually are not obtainable. Nonetheless, there may be an settlement in place to make sure on-island upkeep companies provisions.
Will it’s paired with any renewable electrical energy?
The battery power storage system isn’t instantly paired with a renewable technology facility.
What are superior grid-forming inverters and the GEMS Digital Power Platform?
Superior grid-forming inverters enable battery power storage programs and different renewable sources to ship important grid companies historically supplied by fossil fuel-based mills. Not like standard “grid-following” inverters, which require a functioning grid to function, grid-forming inverters can independently set up and keep voltage and frequency. This allows them to stabilise the grid throughout disturbances and help the combination of extra renewables.
The GEMS Digital Power Platform is Wärtsilä Power Storage’s industry-leading controls and optimisation software program. Designed and engineered in the USA, GEMS provides enhanced cybersecurity, system integrity, and operational resilience. Constructed on a totally built-in platform and designed with versatile structure, it supplies unmatched visibility and management from battery cell to fleet—serving to undertaking house owners unlock most capability, enhance effectivity, and exceed funding targets.
For the Shetland Standby Undertaking, GEMS will handle the battery system’s real-time efficiency, guaranteeing quick, clever responses to fluctuations in provide and demand.
Which emissions will probably be decreased by utilizing the battery storage system and by how a lot?
The battery facility will enable the diesel-fired Lerwick Energy Station to maneuver right into a standby position, considerably decreasing its utilization. This may lead to 2.2 m tonnes of carbon saved within the 10-year interval.
What’s the electrical energy supply or sources for the islands?
As of 1 June 2025, 80% of annual demand is met by Lerwick Energy Station with the remaining 20% from small, impartial, and community-based renewable mills. The battery system will assist improve the share of renewable power on the islands, primarily from plentiful wind sources.
How many individuals reside on islands?
The Shetland Islands have an approximate inhabitants of twenty-two,920.
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