Energy and infrastructure, that’s what we’re about. Want to keep your finger on the pulse? Here’s our pick of the month’s top stories.
Planners recognise grid capacity challenge
This isn’t news to us; we’ve been helping developers with capacity concerns a lot these past few years. To some though, the grid capacity challenge comes as an unwelcome surprise too late in a project. The topic is well covered by The Planner this month in Growth vs the Grid: Why Labour’s ambitions could fall down on energy supply | The Planner. Enough grid capacity for your scheme? Check with BTS here.
Electricity and oil pipeline constraints overcome on 3,500 dwelling scheme
Major milestone for Cala Homes in Berkshire development
After 3.5 years of collaboration with Cala Homes, SSE has completed the undergrounding of a 610m 132kV overhead electricity line at Hogwood Farm, Finchampstead. This clears the way for the development of 3,500 homes, employment space, public open space, and a primary school on the 272-acre site. The first cable circuit will be energised in late October, marking a significant boost for the area.
Thinking of a heat hub in your urban extension?
BTS travelled to Chiltern Woods, Suffolk to visit the ‘HeatHub’, a new electric district heating system using air source heat pumps to supply 900 houses. The scheme is the first of its kind to be built on a traditional housing site and has been designed by GTC on behalf of Taylor Wimpey. Each house is equipped with a heat exchange unit, approximately the same size as a traditional gas boiler, to manage the water entering the home for use in radiators and hot water taps. The system is entirely powered by electricity from the hub to the home and so removes any need for gas. Homeowners can alter the temperature of the radiators as they would with a traditional boiler and payment methods would be similar. The community heat hub will be situated in the scheme’s public open space, and will be remotely controlled and monitored by GTC, with engineers regularly visiting. We look forward to seeing how the scheme progresses.
Raft of battery storage schemes permitted
Joint celebration as work begins on SSE’s largest battery energy storage project at Monk Fryston, North Yorkshire
The future is looking increasingly bright for battery energy storage in the UK. Representatives from SSE Renewables, Morrison Energy Services and Sungrow marked the start of construction at Monk Fryston on 8 October by planting a ceremonial tree.
This project will become one of the UK’s largest BESS facilities, powering over half a million homes for up to two hours during peak demand. Completion is expected by early 2026.
More projects like Monk Fryston are needed to maximize renewable energy use in the UK. Currently, the infrastructure to store electricity until needed by the grid is still lacking.
If you have a site that might be suitable for battery energy storage, or are seeking a site for this purpose, contact BTS.
