the scheme.
Boom Power is proposing a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) located south of Stirling, south-west of Plean and north-west of Torwood at the postcode FK7 8BA. The proposed BESS will cover an area of 64.2 acres (26 hectares) and will connect to the Denny North substation, approximately 1km south of the site. The cable route will be determined and installed by Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) and does not form part of our application.
Battery storage technology has a key part to play complementing renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Supporting the grid with frequency response and reactive power before, during and after a fault on the grid. This would mitigate any risks of local blackouts on the local electricity network.
As Scotland transitions towards Net Zero, battery storage projects such as the one being proposed at South Plean will make a significant contribution to meeting the country’s ambitious carbon reduction targets. Both Stirling and
Falkirk Councils have declared climate emergencies, and battery storage projects will support the recognised need for a transition away from fossil fuels. On a national level, the Scottish Government is committed to achieving Net Zero by 2045 through a Just Transition which aims to create a better future for everyone. Renewable energy projects such as wind and solar power will play a significant role in this, but battery storage facilities will allow renewable energy to be stored and released when needed, optimising our electricity system.
megawatts of Low-Carbon
Electricity storage
FULLY
REVERSIBLE
DEVELOPMENT
Net Zero
Target
Preserved
public rights of way
Additional Trees
& Hedgerows
Planted
enhanced
biodiversity gains
All statistics shown are on an annual basis.
LOCATION – why here?
HARVESTING ENERGY IN BALANCE WITH NATURE.
Tackling climate change requires unprecedented and urgent action. To thrive, the UK will need to support the growth of new sectors. The transition to powering our homes and businesses with low-cost, low-carbon electricity generated from renewable energy sources is an essential part of the UK’s climate change strategy and needs to be delivered at pace and scale. Scotland needs BESS developments like this one, as well as many others, to carry out that transition and achieve its ambitions.
The site for the South Plean BESS has been identified as suitable for battery storage based on its location away from local residences, and its relative proximity to the Denny North substation, approximately 1km to the south.
The first step for the identification of suitable site is to be close to a secured grid connection point which has spare capacity to enable development of a BESS site. Boom Power has engaged with the National Grid and Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) to secure such a connection here.
To ensure the proposed development is economically viable and to minimise energy losses, the cable run will be kept at short as possible. This will reduce both costs and energy waste for sites located further from the grid connection point.
On securing the connection offer, we explored potential available land in the vicinity. Within a defined search area, we consider environmental and planning constraints, such as:
We also consider geographical and topographical considerations such as slope, aspect and access. Once potentially suitable locations have been identified, we engage with landowners in the area, to ascertain their interest in being involved with a BESS development. This process lead to selection of the South Plean BESS site.
BENEFITS & DESIGN
DIVERSIFY FARMING.
Both Stirling and Falkirk Councils declared climate emergencies in 2019, and support renewable energy developments within their Local Development Plans. The proposed South Plean BESS will contribute to progress towards local climate change goals, as well as wider national targets. By optimising the use of renewable electricity and helping to balance the grid, battery storage projects are providing for a more secure future for everyone.
As part of the project’s design, there will be new planting and landscaping around the development to soften its appearance and reduce any visual impacts. This planting will in turn lead to a significant enhancement of biodiversity compared to the current levels.
We anticipate the construction of this scheme will take approximately 12 months. Local highway restrictions will be followed, and a construction traffic management plan will be agreed with the local highway authority and Transport Scotland to ensure our construction plans are appropriate.
Boom Power recognises the importance of ensuring the local community benefits from this development, and as such, will be looking to bring forward a community benefit fund with this project. This fund will seek to support a variety of local initiatives that meet broad criteria generally in line with local energy, climate change, environment, ecology and sustainability objectives.
In addition to the community benefit fund, the South Plean BESS will provide local employment opportunities through the development and construction phase, as well as generating millions of pounds in local business rates once operational to support local services.
It is anticipated that consumer electricity demand will continue to rise rapidly in Scotland, and across the UK, with some researchers suggesting a 50% increase by 2035. This increase is being driven in large part by the electrification of transport, as petrol / diesel vehicles are replaced by electric ones, and heating, as gas boilers are replaced by heat pumps. To support this increase in demand, battery systems, such as that being proposed here, ensure the energy we generate can be used in a more efficient way. BESS allows our energy to be stored at times of low demand, and then discharged later, at times of peak demand. Currently, this balancing function is being fulfilled by traditional peaking power plants that rely on fossil fuels, such as gas. There is a move across the globe to replace these with battery storage systems, such as that proposed here today.
The complete battery system is extremely advanced with cutting edge technology, but when broken down, the individual lithium-ion battery cells are exceptionally similar to those found in many products, such as battery drills, battery hoovers and even battery cars, the difference being that there are many thousands of them grouped and managed together. The batteries are housed in a container, such as that depicted. There will also be associated electrical infrastructure on the site, to supports the safe and secure operation of the batteries.
Battery storage is either coupled to renewable energy sources or it is directly connected to the electricity network. This project is a standalone facility directly connecting to the grid. At times when there is surplus electricity available, the batteries are charged, this allows the energy to be discharged or called upon by the electricity network on demand for both emergencies and grid balancing (keeping the grid stable, responding to sudden changes or fluctuations). Additionally, this would be to simply meet the daily peak demand, usually around 6pm when most cookers, kettles and even 1st generation battery cars and chargers all start demanding electricity.