Participation in the UK’s recently-launched Dynamic Containment (DC) frequency response service has exceeded 400MW of assets with the enrolment of investment fund Gore Street Capital’s 9MW Port of Tilbury battery storage project by optimiser Origami Energy.
Origami said that this is against a published minimum requirement of 800MW in the DC market for February 2021. The service has remained undersubscribed since its launch by electricity system operator National Grid ESO back in October 2020, due to the significant requirements demanded of participants.
Origami’s platform manages Gore Street’s Port of Tilbury battery across multiple stacked revenue streams. In January, National Grid ESO unlocked stacking of DC with participation in the Balancing Mechanism which balances electricity supply and demand across the network, expanding the revenue options for battery owners and optimisers.
According to Dan Hodges, head of account management at Origami, intelligent and flexible technology will be key for asset-owners to “navigate this emerging complexity and to maximise the value of their investments”.
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“Origami’s data platform provides real-time data and machine-learning tools that optimise the financial performance of batteries in this increasingly complex market. Used in combination with our Energy Router we provide a highly scalable control solution that enables energy companies to meet ESO’s demanding requirements for services such as Dynamic Containment as well as other balancing services and wholesale trading.”
The news follows Gore Street Capital – one of two stock exchange-listed investment funds in the UK dedicated to energy storage along with rival Gresham House Energy Storage Fund – announcing that another optimiser, Arenko, had been chosen to optimise its 10MW Lower Road site, including utilising the asset to provide DC services, earlier in February.
Alicja Kowalewska-Montfort from Gore Street added that the company had been working with Origami on the Port of Tilbury battery since it became operational in October 2019.
“We are delighted that they have helped us to get this asset into National Grid ESO’s Dynamic Containment service and look forward to working with them to generate further value with other future services”.
Dynamic Containment was among the major topics of discussion at the Energy Storage Summit 2021, hosted online by our publisher Solar Media. One panel of experts heard about the rigorous criteria and “extremely precise” requirements for participating in the opportunity, while another panel heard that although the DC service is the newest and perhaps most exciting opportunity that marks a new era of smart grid services, it is far from being the only game in town for battery storage in the UK.
This story first appeared on Current±.
The Energy Storage Summit 2021 continues on 2-3 March while all previous sessions are available to view on-demand for attendees. See the website for more details.
