Why have you chosen this location?  

In areas where there is available grid connection we look for: proximity to the point of connection, lower land grade not used for food production and local landowners that are interested in leasing their land.

This site is adjacent to the substation and will be wrapped by the substation on the northern and eastern sides. Due to the site’s position, there will be minimal impact on the existing landscape.

Why are there so many BESS developments springing up around Cellarhead Substation? Do we need all three? 

There are multiple schemes due to available capacity on the local Distribution Network. The capacity on the network is scarce and connections are usually prohibitively costly due to the disruptive reinforcements required to existing infrastructure in order to accommodate connections. That is why when the capacity becomes available multiple projects will start appearing in the area.

Cellarhead Substation is a shared substation between local Distribution Network and National Grid, 132/400kV high-voltage substation, which is the largest category of substation, 179 out of 316 substations fall into this category across the country. Due to Cellarhead Substation’s size, the infrastructure can support a few schemes. We have a contract with the Distribution Network for generation can support UK rising energy needs in the coming years.

According to the National Grid, the UK will need 50GW of battery storage by 2050. Based on current designs this translates to approximately 500 – 1000 BESS sites dotted across the country. The National Grid predict BESS could be responsible for saving the UK’s energy system £40billion by 2050!

As we move to greener energy, BESS will become a key part of our energy network. In traditional power stations more coal or gas is used to manage peak energy demand. As more energy is coming from solar or wind, we need to store the energy generated when it is sunny or windy and release it at peak times. The UK has the largest installed capacity of offshore wind in the world – it is important we do not waste it.

How many batteries are proposed? What are their dimensions? 

There will be 14 battery energy storage racks. Each rack comprises 10 cubes. A cube is approximately 2.5m high and 2.4m wide. 

What type of batteries are you proposing? 

We anticipate Newfields BESS will use lithium ferrophosphate battery cells (LFP) as its chosen form of lithium-ion battery technology. 

LFP batteries are among the safest types of lithium-ion batteries. They have: 

  • A charge rate of 1C which means they can deliver a fast recharge and discharge response whilst generating little heat 
  • Lower ventilation and cooling requirements 
  • The ability to withstand higher temperatures without decomposing 
  • Low risk of overheating and catching fire  
  • A lower temperature rise when compared to other types of lithium-ion batteries during thermal runaway events, and do not release oxygen if they catch fire 
  • A longer lifespan than other type of lithium-ion batteries due to their low degradation rate 

How do I know it’s safe?  

Our design includes the latest monitoring and control mechanisms necessary to avoid thermal runaway. These include: 

  • Selecting lithium ferrophosphate battery cells (LFP) as the battery technology which are among the safest type of lithium-ion batteries 
  • Configuring each modular cube with the latest energy storage technology and safety equipment 
  • Providing an effective Battery Management System (BMS) for early fault detection and response 
  • Designing for external access and preventing internal access of the battery cubes 
  • Incorporating deflagration panels compliant with NFPA 68 meaning, in the very unlikely event of combustible gas release, the force of any pressure is directed up and away from people 
  • Fire alarms and electrical isolation 
  • Adhering to industry standard minimum spacing between units  
  • Including an integrated, temperature triggered, aerosol fire extinguishing system comprising: 
    • Smoke detector 
    • Incipient gas detector 
    • Temperature detectors 
    • Aerosol fire extinguishing device 

When the smoke and temperature detectors are triggered, a fire alarm is set off which releases the aerosol, sends the facility into shutdown, and alerts the BMS. The aerosol comprises a fire extinguishing agent which is sprayed to totally flood the area, extinguishing any open flame. This method is effective in combatting electrical fires, electrolyte fires, and other combustibles fires (A/B/C fires). 

What safety standards do you follow? 

BESS systems are designed to meet UL and IEC standards at the cell, module, rack, container, and system levels including UL1973, UL9540a, IEC62619, IEC61508, NFPA 855, and more. 

Our suppliers work closely with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and others to make technology and processes as safe as possible. They also perform comprehensive testing of BESS components and systems, including large-scale battery fire testing. 

We are also following National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) guidance for planning applications and design advice from the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. 

Have you consulted the local fire and rescue service? 

Yes, we have been liaising with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service (Staffordshire FRS) since April 2023. We have been speaking to a lead officer for the Western Service Delivery Group which covers Stafford Borough, South Staffordshire, and Cannock Chase District. We are addressing its design recommendations and ensuring our application contains all the site specific risk information the FRS needs to form an effective Emergency Response Plan. We will continue to keep in contact with them throughout the project.   

Have the batteries been tested? 

Yes, the batteries have been tested to the UL 9540A, Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems. This standard evaluates thermal runaway, gas composition, flaming, fire spread, reignition and the effectiveness of fire protection systems. Data generated can be used to determine the fire and explosion protection requirements for a BESS. 

Our supplier has three laboratories, two in the United States and one in Germany, to perform comprehensive testing of components and systems.  

In large scale battery fire testing of similar BESS technology, an event beginning in the battery itself was shown to be limited to only one cell, with no sustained fire and no propagation to neighbouring cells or battery modules. 

Will the site be monitored? 

Yes, the facility will be remotely monitored 24/7 to collect data, detect abnormal operating conditions, and for security. 

The remote monitoring system provides real-time insights across all system levels, including: 

  • Temperature – the temperature of the cells, modules, and cabinets will be continually monitored to ensure the cells stay within the optimal range (15 to 33°C). The battery cells will use liquid cooling cell to pack (CTP) technology which helps further stabilise temperatures within cells to minimise internal temperature differentials. 
  • Gas and smoke – gas and smoke will be monitored. The gas detector triggers a fast stop and shutdown if battery off-gases are detected.
  • Battery Management System (BMS) – reacts rapidly to any detection of abnormal conditions, initiates fast-stop (F-stop) of the system to electrically isolate the batteries, collects data at the battery cell and module level (temperature, voltage, current, state of charge, etc.), communicates to external systems.

What is the life expectancy of a battery? Do you change the batteries? 

The BESS site is expected to have a lifetime of approximately 40 years. Throughout this operational period, the batteries will be serviced and replaced as required.

How are you assessing noise impacts? 

A Noise Impact Assessment has been undertaken which will support the planning application. The assessment considers acceptable internal noise levels for daytime as being between 35-40dB, and for night-time as being 30 dB, with 50-55dB being an acceptable level for external noise. These are the levels set out in within British Standard 8233: 2014 ‘Guidance on Sound Insulation and Noise Reduction for Buildings’, a document which carries the full weight of a formerly adopted British Standard. 

The assessment explains there will be a moderate level of noise produced by the BESS equipment from the fans on the battery units and inverters. This noise is only produced when the BESS is operational and therefore would not be constant across a 24-hour period.  

As we do not know the exact times at which the batteries will be in operation, we are designing noise mitigation to be within the lower night-time levels. 

An acoustic barrier varying in height from 4 to 5m, recommended by the noise assessment, is included in the design. We are designing this barrier with help from earthworks and landscape specialists to be formed mostly from a soil bund with a fence on top. 

How long will construction last and will it impact the local road network? 

The construction phase is anticipated to take 6 to 9 months.  Deliveries to the site would be coordinated and timed to avoid large numbers of vehicles arriving and departing at the same time. All construction traffic will access and egress using the new access route via the existing farm track (subject to widening), connecting to the private access road and then Rownall Road. All vehicle movements would route to and from Rownall Road from the south via the A52. Impacts and disruption to the local road network will be avoided as far as possible. Mitigation measures to minimise temporary construction traffic impacts will be set out in the Transport and Access Statement.

Do you plan to expand / extend this site? 

No, we will be limited by our Grid connection agreement and planning permission. We note the available Grid capacity is fixed at 99.9MW. 

Will this project create local job opportunities? 

The development will create job opportunities during the construction, operational, and decommissioning phases. Where possible the operator will look to use local suppliers during these periods. The procurement for this site has not yet been undertaken so this cannot be confirmed at this point. 

What happens to the land at the end of the project? 

After its 40-year operation life, all above ground infrastructure will be removed and the land will be returned to its current condition. 

Will the site have lighting?

The lighting strategy will be designed in line with relevant British Standards, industry guidance, and local policies. It will minimise obtrusive light and will be applied sensitively to minimise impact to surrounding sensitive receptors. It will be provided for security and amenity purposes and will be activated when required by a remotely mounted motion sensor. Luminaries will distribute light downwards only to reduce the potential for light spill outwards onto boundaries and upwards towards the sky. They would be mounted no greater than 1m above the finished floor level.   Vehicles accessing the site will be expected to use headlights for wayfinding purposes; as such, no lighting will be required to the access road.