About the Project

RES is exploring the potential for an energy storage project on land close to the Killymallaght substation, in the townland of Disertowen, approximately 2.5km southeast of Newbuildings, Co. Derry/Londonderry.

The energy storage project is not expected to exceed 4 hectares and would comprise a number of battery storage enclosures and other associated infrastructure including an on-site substation. Electricity is not physically generated on site.

The site lies outside of any international, national or local environmental designations.

We expect to submit an application for planning consent to Derry City and Strabane District Council this year.

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Design Layout and Infrastructure

The plan to the right shows the preliminary layout for the Killymallaght Energy Storage project.

We are still consulting on this layout and as such it is subject to change.

The proposed system is a containerised scheme, involving proven lithium-ion battery technology which RES has deployed at multiple projects around the world.

The infrastructure would include:

• Battery enclosures
• Power Conversion Systems and Transformers
• Customer Substation
• Auxiliary Transformer
• Grid Compliance Equipment
• Grid Connection Infrastructure
• Security System
• Drainage Scheme
• Landscaping

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Environmental Considerations

RES will design the energy storage system so that it will fit sensitively in the surrounding landscape.

A number of surveys and assessments will be carried out to ensure any potential impact upon the environment, landscape, heritage and local residents is appropriately assessed and mitigated.

The assessments to be carried out will include:

Ecology

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal will present the main findings of a desk study and walkover survey, categorising baseline habitats and conditions and their nature conservation value and predicting any potential ecological impacts from the project.

Landscape

A Landscape and Visual Appraisal considers the site and its surrounding context in both landscape and visual terms, to assess the potential effects of the proposed energy storage system upon landscape features, landscape character and visual amenity.

Heritage & Archaeology

This assessment sets out the cultural heritage baseline of the site as well as assessing the site’s archaeological potential. It will assess the potential effects of the project on the cultural heritage resource, within the context of relevant legislation and planning policy, and determine, should any predicted adverse effects be identified, how these effects can be mitigated.

Noise & Vibration

Noise is an important consideration, and the energy storage system is designed to comply with strict noise limits set by the determining authority should the project be granted consent. The scope of the acoustic assessment includes determining the baseline background sound levels and predicting sound levels from the project in order to assess the level of potential impact, in accordance with relevant planning guidance.

Flood Risk & Surface Water Management

A review of flood risk from various sources has been undertaken to ensure the proposed development will not increase flood risk anywhere on or off site. The report will also set out the proposed surface water drainage solution.

Transport

The Transport Statement will provide details of the proposed transport management arrangements during the construction of the project, if it is consented. It will also provide details of transport movements during construction and operation of the project.

Landscaping and Biodiversity Enhancement

The Killymallaght project is being specifically designed to include planting of native trees, hedgerows and wildflower grass areas. These will not only reduce potential visibility of the scheme but also seek to enhance biodiversity by providing wildlife corridors and vital resources for mammals, birds, and insect species.

The illustrative plan to the right shows how landscape planting could be delivered along with other measures to protect and enhance the biodiversity around the site.

A Landscaping Masterplan will form part of the planning application and will also provide landscaping specifications for new vegetation in accordance with relevant standards. It will also provide information on the timings and aftercare regime for all planting.

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Traffic and Access

Component and material deliveries are a key phase in the construction of any energy storage project.

All delivery traffic will access the site from the A6 Glenshane Road onto Belt Road before turning left onto Trench Road to the site entrance. At this stage we are still investigating two options for accessing the site, as shown in the plan to the right.

Throughout the construction phase there will be a combination of HGVs (for the component and material deliveries) and cars/vans (for construction staff), on site. Typically, there is peak HGV movements during the first few weeks of construction whilst car/van movements are expected to be constant throughout.

A Transport Statement will accompany the planning application, which outlines the overall framework for managing the safe movement of construction and delivery traffic. The Transport Statement will also itemise the estimated number of deliveries over the 12-month construction period, if the project is consented, the indicative spread of vehicle movements during the construction phase and timings restrictions.

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Why Energy Storage?

Our energy system is in a transitionary period.

Ageing infrastructure is being replaced and greater flexibility introduced into our networks via technological advances, such as energy storage, to manage the increasingly complex supply and demand needs of the 21st Century.

Energy storage is crucial in enabling the rollout of zero carbon energy and supporting the UK’s net-zero emissions target.

Renewable energy technologies are needed to replace electricity generation from fossil fuels, however, they can generate electricity  intermittently depending on weather conditions, which can cause imbalances in the electricity network.

Electricity is not physically generated on site.

Energy storage works by storing energy at times when generation exceeds demand and then releases electricity back to the electricity network when demand exceeds generation. Energy storage is also considered the fastest technology for responding to a sudden spike in demand or an abrupt loss of supply.