The Future of Battery Storage: Powering a Net Zero World

The transition to a net zero carbon is a monumental challenge, requiring a fundamental shift in how we generate and consume energy. Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, are at the forefront of this transformation.

However, their temperamental nature presents a significant hurdle: the need to store excess energy for when the sun isn't shining (which as we know is very common in this country) or the wind isn't blowing. This is where battery storage comes in.

Battery storage is rapidly evolving from a technology to a cornerstone of the clean energy landscape. By capturing renewable energy and releasing it when demand is high, batteries can help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and enhance the overall resilience of the energy system.

The North East of England is rapidly establishing itself as a global leader in net zero. The region boasts a rich industrial heritage, a skilled workforce, and a growing cluster of businesses involved in battery technology, manufacturing, and research. The Teesworks site, in particular, is poised to become a major hub for the development and production of battery storage solutions. We’re having a look at a couple of developments where Teesworks is leading the way.

Energy Optimisation Solutions (EOS)

Teesworks Ltd recently reached an agreement with battery storage specialist EOS to build a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on a three-acre plot at the Long Acres section of the 2,500 acre Teesworks site. The £62m storage facility will support 100 local jobs which is a big boost for the area.

The site will enable up to 100 Megawatts (MW) of additional green energy to be plugged into the grid. Over the course of a year, the EOS facility will help cut carbon emissions by 4,000 metric tons – the equivalent of driving a car 11.6 million kilometres or 289 times around the world.

NAT Power

Teesworks Ltd also agreed a deal in recent months with leading battery storage specialist NatPower UK to build one of Europe’s biggest BESS at the Long Acres section of the Teesworks site – meaning this section of the site will become a powerhouse in battery storage.

The company is part of the NatPower group, an energy transition developer with bases around the world including the UK, US, Italy and Kazakhstan. The facility – which will take up 50 acres of land – will enable up to 1000 MW of additional green energy to be plugged into the grid, and the group’s plans include the potential to set up an electric vehicle charging facility as part of the complex, it has been said.

The Long Acres plot earmarked for the NAT Power and EOS projects adjoins the area where hydrogen production facilities HyGreen Teesside and H2 Teesside and the Net Zero Teesside project are also planned. Led by bp and aiming to start production in 2026, HyGreen Teesside is planned to be one of the UK’s biggest green hydrogen facilities.

The potential of battery storage to revolutionise our energy landscape is undeniable. As we've explored, it's a crucial piece of the net zero puzzle, offering a solution to the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources.

The Teesworks site, is emerging as a key player in this exciting industry. With ambitious projects like those undertaken by EOS and NatPower, the region is positioning itself at the forefront of the UK's energy transition.