Wartsila to Deliver One of Scotland's Largest Energy Storage Systems to Zenobe With Quantum High Energy

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply a 300-megawatt (MW) / 600-megawatt hour (MWh) energy storage system under an Engineered Equipment Delivery (EEQ) contract to Zenobe, an electric vehicle fleet and battery storage specialist, in Kilmarnock, Scotland. This is the second energy storage system Wärtsilä is delivering to Zenobe, and it will be one of the largest in Scotland to date. It will be the first facility built with Wärtsilä’s Quantum High Energy (QuantumHE), a next-generation energy storage system. QuantumHE, provides increased energy density for Zenobe and is fitted with state-of-the-art features to ensure the highest level of safety for the surrounding community. The order was booked to Wärtsilä’s order intake in January 2024 and the energy storage system is expected to be operational by the end of 2025.

The project will be delivered under Great Britain’s National Grid’s NOA Stability Pathfinder programme, which aims to cost-effectively address stability issues in the electricity system created by the increased adoption of intermittent renewable generation. The energy storage system will help grid operators to better balance supply and demand and ensure that the country’s abundant wind generation is not wasted. The project is expected to abate 3,400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 15 years.

“Wärtsilä is proud to partner with Zenobe to accelerate the transition to renewable energy in Scotland,” said Andy Tang, Vice President, Wärtsilä Energy Storage & Optimisation. “This project brings Wärtsilä’s portfolio of energy storage assets in the United Kingdom over 2 gigawatt hours. We are committed to assisting customers in the UK reach their national decarbonisation targets through innovative energy storage solutions.”

This project follows the announcement in February 2023 of a 200 MW / 400 MWh energy storage system Wärtsilä will deliver to Zenobe in Blackhillock, Scotland. The Blackhillock site is on track to be operational by autumn 2024. Once operational, both Zenobe projects will play a key role in achieving Scotland's ambitious renewable energy objectives.

"Reaching this significant milestone demonstrates Zenobe’s commitment to better utilise wind power and support its growth by doubling Scotland’s battery storage capacity. Kilmarnock South will enhance the country’s position as a leader in delivering energy that is cost-effective, clean and efficient,” commented James Basden, Founder, Zenobe. “This is an important moment as we bolster the UK's energy infrastructure and help to ensure that every household feels the benefits of sustainable, affordable electricity”.

The Kilmarnock South project is Wärtsilä's second project being delivered to meet NOA Stability Pathfinder requirements. Wärtsilä’s intelligent energy management system, the GEMS Digital Energy Platform, will ease network constraints by importing electricity at times of peak renewable generation. GEMS’ data-based intelligence will enable Zenobe to participate in the most valuable UK electricity markets.