EDF plans Oxford ‘superhub’ with Wartsila

EDF Renewables UK and Wärtsilä have joined forces for a new transmission-connected battery in Sundon, Bedfordshire. The 50 MW/100 MWh lithium-ion battery will form part of a new Energy Superhub in the region. Construction is expected to start in Spring 2023.

The battery will connect to the transmission network at National Grid’s Sundon Substation. As part of an innovative new grid park concept launched by National Grid to cost-effectively connect more renewables three customers will connect to the substation. EDF Renewables UK will be one of the three and will also develop a private wire network to support EV charging and the decarbonisation of transport. The private wire will share the battery connection to the transmission network, providing multi-megawatt capacity for ultra-rapid charging of electric vehicles from cars to HGVs.
The project will form part of EDF Renewables UK’s nationwide rollout of Energy Superhubs, which aims to deliver up to 2 GW of transmission-connected batteries and high-volume power connections.

Wärtsilä has provided its digital energy platform GEMS in addition to the power conversion system and commissioning for the project. GEMS provides the data and insights to instruct trading parties and asset managers.
EDF Renewables UK and Wärtsilä have worked closely together on battery sites in Oxford, Birmingham, Coventry and Kent.