The United Kingdom (UK) Government has set a target to decarbonise the power grid and ensure all cars are zero emission capable by 2035. The initiative aims to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy and improve the UK’s energy security by ensuring supply, reducing costs, and avoiding future price spikes caused by geopolitical events.

The development of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is essential in achieving this objective – managing the flow and optimising the use of electricity generation throughout the network.

The BESS is a 10,932kW energy storage facility in Scotland, UK. It comprises 27 battery storage units, 14 transformers, a switchgear modular building, and a DNO building.

BG&E was responsible for carrying out the civil and structural design of the project site and foundations, including:

• Structural design of foundation systems (reinforced in situ concrete) for the battery storage units, transformer bunds, DNO building, and customer switchgear building.
• Civil works involved a complete cut and fill analysis of the site, developing a stormwater drainage strategy, and carrying out a swept path analysis across the site.

We also provided ongoing construction support, which included assisting with site queries, RFIs (Requests for Information), and MARs (Material Approval Requests).

Construction of the site is ongoing, and works are expected to be completed by 2024.