bp has joined forces with Harmony Energy Income Trust (HEIT), an investment company specializing in battery storage, to offer power trading and optimization services for two upcoming projects set to add 80MW/160MWh of flexibility to the GB power grid. These projects, Hawthorn Pit (49.9MW/99.8MWh) and Wormald Green (33MW/66MWh), are scheduled to become operational in the first half of 2024.
The collaboration aims to store surplus power from the grid during periods of low demand and release it during high-demand phases, contributing to grid stability. This is particularly crucial as the energy landscape shifts towards greater reliance on renewable sources like wind and solar, which can introduce fluctuations in power supply.
Notably, these projects mark the first Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) assets that bp has committed to optimizing since its integration of the digital energy platform Open Energi in 2021. Open Energi’s software will provide real-time insights and decision-making capabilities, connecting HEIT’s assets with power markets through bp’s trading division.
Hormoz Ala, Senior Manager in European Power at bp, emphasized the importance of this partnership in supporting the transition to a Net Zero future. He highlighted that real-time decision-making, powered by bp’s trading team and the Open Energi platform, offers innovative solutions for grid support optimization.
Paul Mason, Managing Director of HEIT’s Investment Adviser, stressed the significance of selecting the right revenue optimization partners in a complex market environment. He underscored the shared focus on innovation and sustainability, supported by bp’s Open Energi platform and HEIT’s growing portfolio of two-hour duration batteries.
