A cutting-edge electrical energy storage scheme is being installed in the north-east and Yorkshire to bring a greener way of using energy to the grid.
The multi-million pound project is led by Northern Powergrid and known as the Customer-Led Network Revolution (CLNR), The Northern Echo reports.
Batteries are being installed which store the electricity and then release it as needed. Two are located at Wooler in Northumberland, with four others in Darlington and Maltby. All but one will be located in existing Northern Powergrid sub-stations.
Project manager Ian Lloyd told the newspaper: “This is one of the biggest and most important energy storage projects happening in the UK today, thanks to the scale of the installations and the diverse range of locations we’re using.
We want to be in the position where we can create a ‘smarter powergrid’ and find cost-effective ways to manage the changing usage and generation needs of our customers.”
The initiative is about moving towards a lower carbon future without the need for costly reinforcements across the network that would impact bills, he added.
The project is set to cost £54 million and is the largest of its type in the UK. It will put the northern region at the leading edge of the drive to cut carbon emissions.
The University of Durham, British Gas and EA Technology are also involved in the project.
Electricity from the batteries can be sent to the grid on demand when need is high, such as when millions turn on the kettle in an ad break or homeowners switch on their electric central heating in the evening.