Project overview
Team members provided development management and technical advisory services for a utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) project at a large brownfield industrial site in northern England. The site had a long history of heavy industrial use and was identified as well-suited for energy storage development due to its existing grid infrastructure, available land and proximity to a strategically important point on the transmission network.
Grid connection
The project presented significant grid connection complexity. Team members managed the connection process with the relevant transmission operator, including pre-application engagement, capacity negotiations and the coordination of protection and metering requirements. The existing on-site electrical infrastructure was assessed for reuse and partial retention, reducing connection costs and programme risk. Connection negotiations covered export capacity, reactive power obligations and the interface between the BESS control system and the transmission operator.
Development management
Team members managed relationships with the landowner and site operator throughout the development phase, coordinating access arrangements, due diligence requirements and the heads of terms for the site lease. Planning pre-application engagement was undertaken with the relevant local planning authority, and an environmental screening opinion was obtained. The project required careful coordination between the planning, grid connection and commercial workstreams to maintain programme alignment.
Commercial and contractual
The project involved a multi-party ownership and development structure. Team members supported the commercial negotiation process, including heads of terms for the development agreement and the interface between the developer and the equipment provider. Revenue modelling was undertaken across multiple stacking scenarios, including frequency response, capacity market and balancing mechanism participation.
Key facts
- Type: Utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS)
- Location: Brownfield industrial site, northern England
- Grid connection: Transmission-connected
- Status: Development
- Services: Development management, grid connection, planning, commercial advisory, revenue modelling