The installation and grid connection of a 10MW battery at a biomass plant near Sheffield has been completed.

The lithium-ion battery is housed in four 40ft long shipping containers at the Blackburn Meadows biomass plant.

It holds the same amount of energy as 500,000 mobile phone batteries.

E.ON’s project was successful in National Grid’s Enhanced Frequency Response (EFR) tender to deliver technologies capable of responding in less than one second at times of an over or under supply of energy to the grid.

Leon Walker, Commercial Development Manager at National Grid said: “Using battery storage is a significant development for managing the national grid. It’s an ultra-fast way of keeping electricity supply and demand balanced.

“Over four years, we estimate that this service will save this service will save the system operator around £200 million. This is good news for consumers who benefit from our cost efficiencies and paves the way for battery technology to establish itself as an important component of our energy system.”