Thursday, September 19, 2024
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Scottish Water completes solar and battery energy storage scheme

Scottish Water has completed work on a £2.3 million solar power and battery energy storage scheme which could save around 169 tonnes of carbon annually. 

The scheme at Howden Water Treatment Works near Selkirk consists of 2,112 ground-mounted solar panels and 15 racks of batteries to store the power generated, which will meet over a third of the site’s power usage and support Scottish Water’s drive to reach net zero emissions by 2040. 

The battery energy storage system is one of the first of its kind on a Scottish water treatment asset, and only the second on a Scottish Water site to date. It means 100% of the renewable power generated by the scheme can be used on site whenever it is needed. 

It has been led by Scottish Water Horizons, the public utility’s commercial subsidiary, and delivered by renewable energy specialists Emtec Energy. 

Scottish Water Horizons Project Manager Alan Mearns said:

“This scheme will generate 1.2 megawatts of green electricity, providing just under 35% of the annual electricity needed to power the site and will make a massive difference to the carbon footprint of the treatment works. 

“As the scheme is remotely monitored, at the time of year when there’s not a lot of sunshine, it allows us to import from the grid at a lower rate to charge the batteries and then feed it back into the works during the times when it costs more, helping to reduce operational costs.” 

“We’ve implemented these safety protocols in line with industry best practices to ensure the protection of both the site and the surrounding community.” 

Scottish Water Operations Team Leader Mick Jones said:

“This water treatment works is responsible for providing water to our customers in Selkirk and the surrounding area and runs 24 hours a day to ensure we can provide that service round the clock. It is a huge user of electricity and this scheme is a great way to offset some of that usage. 

“Scottish Water has a lot of ground area that can be utilised to support renewable technologies in this way and the inclusion of the battery as part of this project meant we can capture all that solar power and provide  a permanent feed of electricity, rather than having loads of power when the sun shines and nothing when the sun’s down.”

Chris Clark, Director at Emtec Energy, added:

“The solar and battery energy storage system at Howden represents a significant achievement for Emtec Energy and underscores our dedication to pushing the boundaries of renewable energy solutions.

“We have delivered a complex, high-efficiency system that not only meets the stringent requirements of the site but also aligns with our vision of reducing carbon footprints across Scotland. This project is a testament to the innovative thinking and meticulous planning that we bring to every project, and we’re honoured to have partnered with Scottish Water Horizons.”

Image from Shutterstock

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