Northern Ireland Water’s (NIW) Dunore Point site is powered by a 24,000-panel solar farm, which contributes to a significant proportion of its overall electricity supply. However, the fluctuating demand for water and variable supply of energy can mean that NIW is unable to optimise the use of its energy generation capacity.

Arup, in partnership with GRAHAM, has worked to install a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at NIW’s Dunore Point plant. This allows NIW to store excess energy for use at peak times or benefit from a number of revenue-generating incentives to meet the needs of the business. They are now able to balance supply and demand on the local grid, provide improved site resilience, for example in the case of power outages, and enable a stable and secure water supply for its customers.

Arup was appointed as NEC Project Manager and technical advisor to deliver the project. We supported business case development and project viability through techno-economic modelling, as well as the identification of project-specific and strategic risks associated with its delivery.

The 5.6MWh battery will help NIW make better use of the solar farm’s renewable energy. It will store surplus energy from on-site solar panels at Dunore Point, one of Northern Ireland’s largest water treatment plants in Antrim. Its 4.1MW power capacity means that during peak operating times, energy that would not have been utilised by NIW during periods of low demand can now be used to sustainably power the plant.

This will lead to lower operating costs through reductions in the impacts of price volatility and NIW’s reliance on other energy sources, and by generating additional revenue through a variety of mediums. The BESS will contribute to NIW’s 2050 energy strategy and strategic objectives: reducing emissions related to the use of fossil fuels, increasing the plant’s energy resilience and facilitating opportunities to harness further renewable technology.

Construction site with large white containers.

Arup was appointed as NEC project manager for the BESS, as well as providing technical advisory services through multiple phases of project delivery.

A high angle view of Northern Ireland water site

The site is cleared and prepped, laying the foundation for the installation of the BESS at Northern Ireland Water's Dunore Point plant.

 

A construction site with a crane

Batteries are placed in position and installed, enhancing the plant's energy storage capabilities.

Northern Ireland water construction site with BESS

Batteries are set up and integrated with the system, paving the way for improved energy resilience and stability for Northern Ireland Water.

A large white container with a crane.

Northern Ireland Water is now able to balance supply and demand on the local grid, provide improved site resilience and enable a stable and secure water supply for its customers.

Generating additional revenue and cost savings

The BESS provides NIW with the opportunity to generate additional revenue and cost savings through a diverse “revenue stack”. This includes routes such as ‘energy arbitrage’, meaning NIW can buy energy at a lower price and sell it at a higher price. It also includes the capacity market, where NIW can enter a contract to commit the BESS’s capacity to provide security of supply to the electricity system. The largest revenue stream will be the BESS’s participation in the DS3 programme where participants are required to adjust power usage or supply in response to the grid’s requirements. This process will be managed by an AI platform and pay NIW each hour that it is available to provide this service, automating the revenue generation process.

Key considerations and risk mitigation

A multitude of potential risks, opportunities and regulatory requirements had to be considered when installing the BESS. Some of the key considerations associated with the project included grid code compliance, fire mitigation, BESS costs and ensuring a future-proof design. Appropriate measures were devised to mitigate these risks through stakeholder engagement and early design development, relying on our multidisciplinary expertise. These included effective monitoring systems, mapping out emergency procedures and stringent adherence to grid code compliance.

Three Arup engineers on site at Northern Ireland Water project in hi-vis jackets

Combining our multidisciplinary expertise with our collaborative approach that involves key stakeholders, Arup was able to address key risks and considerations associated with the BESS.

Three Arup engineers on site at Northern Ireland Water project in hi-vis jackets

The BESS has allowed NIW to improve their energy efficiency while also providing them with revenue generating opportunities.

Achieving excellence through stakeholder collaboration

Through collaboration with key stakeholders - including Northern Ireland Electricity and SONI – NIW, GRAHAM, and the broader supply chain – we successfully tackled the obstacles associated with BESS installation. The result is the delivery of a reliable, cutting-edge battery system that meets stringent requirements.

This achievement helps to position NIW to play an important role in advancing the green economy and ensuring a more environmentally friendly supply of water to its customers. 

The large-scale battery will provide greater resilience for both NI Water and the wider network across Northern Ireland. It will store renewable energy generated onsite, avoiding peak tariffs, and enable more capacity for renewables to be connected to the grid. This innovative project was complex and challenging however, it was delivered by working collaboratively with locally based suppliers including Arup and GRAHAM

Jo Aston

Chair at NI Water

Partners & collaborators

GRAHAM / SONI / Northern Ireland Electricity Networks / Northern Ireland Water