A NETWORK of 100 domestic batteries have been installed by Centrica and sonnen to form the UK’s most advanced Virtual Power Plant.
The network of decentralised home energy storage systems has been approved by National Grid allowing the batteries to be aggregated in a cloud platform in order to provide Dynamic Firm Frequency Response – selling storage space when the grid is overloaded or providing stored energy during periods of peak demand.
This allows customers to maximise the amount of solar generated electricity in their home, reducing their energy bills while contributing to the stability and sustainability of the UK’s electricity system.
Pieter-Jan Mermans, Global Optimisation Director, Centrica, commented: “In the past, automated Demand Response was the domain of large industrial and commercial energy users, in the last 12 months we have shown that networks of devices such as home batteries and hot water tanks can also take part, putting the customer in greater control of their energy, making them more sustainable and helping lower their bills.”
The two companies are working together to build on the existing 100 sonnenBatterie systems, to provide even more storage capacity for grid stabilisation in the future.
Jean-Baptiste Cornefert, Managing Director, sonnen eServices, added: “The digital energy transformation, towards a clean energy system, is taking place all over the world and our technology is an important key to its success.
“Sonnen is the first provider in the UK to prequalify with a virtual power plant of decentralised home storage systems.
“Every megawatt provided across the network replaces one that would have been generated by conventional fossil fuel power stations.”
