Global Advancements in Energy Storage, BESS: Unveiling YPR2, China Project Hubei, Zenobē, and Indiana, US

Dew Briefs:

Yllikkälä Power Reserve Two (YPR2) of the BESS project
The China Project Hubei
Zenobē Energy Solution
The US project Indiana

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects worldwide have gained prominence as key components in the transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure. These projects involve the deployment of large-scale battery systems to store and manage electrical energy.

The global energy landscape is witnessing a shift toward diverse battery technologies, including lithium-ion and emerging options like sodium-ion batteries. These projects play a vital role in supporting the increasing penetration of renewable energy by storing excess power during peak generation periods and releasing it when demand is high.

As technology advances and energy policies evolve, BESS projects continue to be at the forefront of efforts to build a more sustainable and reliable energy infrastructure across the globe. Ongoing developments in this field underscore the importance of energy storage in creating a flexible and resilient grid capable of accommodating the demands of the modern energy landscape.

Diver Insights:

General summaries based on the information available up to that point:

Yllikkälä Power Reserve Two (YPR2) of the BESS Project:
- Location: Yllikkälä, Finland.
- Details: YPR2 is part of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project aimed at enhancing grid stability and supporting renewable energy integration. It involves the deployment of advanced battery technology to store excess energy and release it when needed, contributing to the efficient management of the local energy grid.
China Project Hubei:
- Location: Hubei Province, China.
- Details: The China Project in Hubei involves the construction of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). As of my last update, specific details about the project, such as its size, capacity, and technology used, were not available. However, the project is indicative of China’s commitment to exploring and implementing advanced energy storage solutions to support its growing energy needs and transition to a more sustainable energy landscape.
Zenobē Energy Solution:
- Location: United Kingdom (UK).
- Details: Zenobē Energy is a UK-based company specializing in energy storage solutions. They provide a range of services, including battery storage, to support grid balancing, renewable energy integration, and commercial and industrial applications. Zenobē Energy aims to contribute to the decarbonization of the energy sector by optimizing the use of energy storage technologies.
US Project Indiana:
- Location: Indiana, United States.
- Details: The BESS project in Indiana involves the deployment of Battery Energy Storage Systems to enhance the reliability and flexibility of the local energy grid. The project likely focuses on addressing peak demand, providing grid support services, and integrating renewable energy sources, contributing to the state’s broader efforts toward a more sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure.

BESS Finland, YPR2

The project, known as Yllikkälä Power Reserve Two (YPR2), is considered the largest BESS in the Nordics.
The decision to build the BESS was influenced by market dynamics, as explained by Capalo AI, an optimiser in the energy storage sector, to Energy-Storage.news.
Construction has commenced on the Yllikkälä Power Reserve Two by Neoen in Lappeenranta, Finland.
With a capacity of 56.4 MW / 112.9 MWh, it stands as the largest battery in the Nordics.
The Yllikkälä Power Reserve Two will greatly bolster the stability and reliability of the Finnish grid.
By the first half of 2025, the battery will be fully operational and ready to provide its support.
Neoen’s presence in Finland now includes two batteries, resulting in a total storage capacity of 86.4 MW / 142.9 MWh.
It will be situated in Yllikkälä, near the city center of Lappeenranta, and will be approximately 100 meters away from Neoen’s first major battery in Finland, the Yllikkälä Power Reserve.
YPR2 will be connected to Fingrid’s Yllikkälä substation through an underground cable.
Neoen, following its develop-to-own model, owns 100% of the Yllikkälä Power Reserve Two and will be responsible for its long-term operation.
The battery will participate in Fingrid’s reserve markets, providing fast-response ancillary services to help maintain the balance between energy production and consumption.
It will contribute to improving the power system’s frequency and security, as well as facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources.
With the addition of Yllikkälä Power Reserve Two, Neoen further solidifies its position as one of Finland’s leading and fastest-growing renewable energy producers.
Neoen’s Finnish team, based in Helsinki since 2018 and Lappeenranta since 2023, is actively developing various wind, solar, and storage projects across the country.
Yllikkälä Power Reserve Two marks Neoen’s third battery project in the Nordics, adding to its global battery storage portfolio of 1,489 MW / 3,032 MWh, which includes some of the world’s largest batteries located in Australia.

Hubei, China Project BESS

The project, located in Qianjiang, Hubei province, has already begun construction.
Construction has commenced on a large battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Hubei, China.
Sodium-ion technology is considered a commercially mature alternative to lithium-ion for BESS.
Sodium-ion batteries are an emerging alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. They use sodium ions as the charge carriers instead of lithium ions. Sodium is more abundant and less expensive than lithium, making sodium-ion batteries a potentially cost-effective and sustainable energy storage solution.
The construction of a sodium-ion BESS project in Qianjiang, Hubei province, China, indicates the country’s commitment to exploring alternative battery technologies for energy storage. The use of sodium-ion batteries in this project suggests a focus on developing technologies that can contribute to more sustainable and affordable energy storage solutions.
According to Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), the project has already started.
The Qianjiang Municipal People’s Government released a three-year plan in November 2023, which highlighted the BESS project.
The project was initially planned to be 100MW/200MWh, but recent reports indicate it will be 50MW/100MWh.
The project will require an investment of RMB200 million (US$27.8 million).
Regardless of the capacity, it will be the largest BESS using sodium-ion technology.
The sodium-ion BESS is being developed by Datang Hubei Energy Development, owned by the state-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC).
The completion of the project in 2024 suggests that China is actively working on expanding its energy storage infrastructure to support the integration of renewable energy sources and enhance grid stability. The exact specifications, capacity, and objectives of the project would be crucial details that would provide a more comprehensive understanding of its impact on the local energy landscape.
A sodium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) project is being constructed in China’s Hubei province and is expected to be completed in 2024.

Zenobē Energy Solution BESS

Zenobē Energy, a BESS and EV solutions firm, has started construction on a 300MW/600MWh project in Scotland.
The Kilmarnock South project is being financed with £147 million (US$187 million) arranged by NatWest and is projected to be operational by late 2025.
Zenobē Energy, an infrastructure investor and developer in BESS and electric fleet mobility assets, has secured funding from NatWest to develop a project set to launch in late 2025.
The project aims to reduce the cost of wasted wind generation in Scotland and subsequently lower energy prices for consumers.
Zenobē Energy will collaborate with various suppliers for the BESS site, including SMA Solar Technology AG for battery inverters and medium voltage power stations, and Wärtsilä as the BESS supplier.
Omexom will handle the balance of plant works, while GE Grid Solutions, a business of GE Vernova, will provide two 180MVA transformers for the project.
This project is a significant milestone for Zenobē Energy as it works towards establishing a 1.2GW BESS portfolio in Scotland.
James Basden, the founder of Zenobē Energy, believes that the Kilmarnock South BESS will contribute to the country’s leadership in delivering cost-effective, clean, and efficient energy.
Zenobē Energy is also developing another large-scale BESS project near Blackhillock in Scotland, with construction starting in February 2023.
The first phase of the Blackhillock project (200MW/400MW) is scheduled to go live in Summer 2024, followed by an additional 100MW in the second half of 2026.
These projects demonstrate Zenobē Energy’s commitment to strengthening the UK’s energy infrastructure.
The funding from NatWest will enable Zenobē Energy to expand its renewable energy initiatives and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Indiana project US, BESS

AES Indiana has received approval for the Pike County Battery Energy Storage Project.
The project has been approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).
AES Corporation’s regional utility subsidiary has received regulatory approval for a 200MW, 4-hour BESS project in Indiana, US.
The Pike County Battery Energy Storage Project is expected to be operational by December of this year.
The project will have a capacity of 200MW/800MWh.
The battery energy storage system will be located at AES Indiana’s Petersburg Generating Station.
AES Indiana plans to convert the facility to gas and develop wind, solar PV, and additional battery projects.
The project will connect to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) grid and wholesale markets.
AES Indiana has around half a million customers in Indianapolis and Central Indiana.
The battery energy storage system will be online during the 2024-2025 MISO winter season.
The coal-fired units at the power plant will be closed down in 2025.
AES Indiana issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the system’s delivery on a turnkey basis.
The supplier or integrator for the Pike County project has not been announced yet.
AES Indiana, the subsidiary responsible for the project, announced the regulatory approval last week.

Texas rules, BESS

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has ordered ERCOT, the state’s grid operator, to rescind state-of-charge (SOC) rules for BESS.
The Commission’s decision was communicated through a letter signed by the interim chair and two of its four commissioners.

Utility commissions, like the Public Utility Commission of Texas, are regulatory bodies responsible for overseeing and regulating the activities of utilities within their jurisdiction. This includes setting rules and standards to ensure the reliability and efficiency of the energy grid.

State-of-charge rules for BESS refer to regulations or guidelines that dictate how much energy a battery should retain (or not retain) in various states of charge to comply with grid requirements. These rules are often set to optimize the performance of energy storage systems and ensure grid stability.

If the PUCT has ordered ERCOT to rescind state-of-charge rules for BESS, it could indicate a shift in regulatory policies or a reevaluation of the role of energy storage within the Texas grid. The decision might be influenced by factors such as technological advancements, changes in grid dynamics, or the need for flexibility in managing energy storage resources.