100MW battery ‘energy superhub’ set for the West Midlands

Two new grid-scale battery energy storage projects are set to be installed in Coventry and Sandwell, with a combined capacity of 100MW.

Funded by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), the projects are being jointly delivered by energy infrastructure provider Pivot Power and smart energy technologies firm Wärtsilä, with support from with Coventry City Council, Sandwell Council and West Midlands Combined Authority.

The projects will collectively provide 100MW/200MWh of battery storage – enough to power over 200,000 homes for two hours and both sites will feature electric vehicle (EV) charging points.

This is the latest phase of Pivot Power’s nationwide rollout of Energy Superhubs, designed to deliver up to 2GW of transmission-connected battery storage and high-volume power connections to support more renewables and create the power infrastructure for mass-scale, rapid EV charging.

Pivot Power’s Energy Superhubs are all located alongside National Grid substations and have been selected for proximity to major road networks and urban populations.

The Coventry battery storage system is located to the north east of the city, close to junction 2 of the M6 and Sandwell’s is located close to junction 7 of the M6.

Charging and refuelling infrastructure is a key component of the recently launched Ten Point Plan for Green Growth in the Midlands Engine which also highlights how our region can take a leading role in the development of next generation batteries and battery recycling.

Rolling out charging infrastructure for electric vehicles at scale is critical to help the West Midlands meet its target to be zero carbon by 2041.

Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said:

Working with Pivot Power on this project is helping Coventry deliver on our climate commitments. We are leading the way in creating innovative, low carbon infrastructure to decarbonise transport and improve air quality, helping people move away from polluting vehicles to green, clean transport.

This project will combine with a raft of other green industrial revolution projects being pioneered in Coventry as we lead the way in this increasingly important sector.

Councillor Steve Melia, West Bromwich Town Lead at Sandwell Council, said:

Sandwell is one of the first communities to benefit from the unique infrastructure investment that this project brings.

Pivot Power’s Energy Superhub will not only ensure that more of our power comes from clean, sustainable sources but will also help to power ultra-fast public EV charging hubs in the Sandwell area, supporting our strategy to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and create sustainable jobs and economic growth.

The site is at the heart of the English motorway network. As such, there are many hotels, bus garages and service stations nearby which are ideally situated to make use of this facility.

Construction of the battery storage systems is due to commence at Sandwell in late 2021 and at Coventry in the early months of 2022.

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