Wedoany.com Report-Mar 5, Europe’s biggest operational battery energy storage system (BESS) is using the Kraken smart operating system.

The 200MW / 400MWh Blackhillock site (pictured) in Moray, Scotland, owned by Zenobe, has gone live and is using the tech platform developed by Kraken Technologies, part of Octopus Energy Group.

Kraken’s platform connects up all parts of the energy system, from customer billing to management of renewable generation and energy devices.

EDF Energy will trade energy from the Blackhillock site, which is forecast to bring down consumer bills by £170m and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 3.4m tonnes over the next 15 years.

The Blackhillock project will be expanded to 300MW by next year, enough to supply 3.1m homes, more than every household in Scotland.

Kraken now manages 50% of the UK’s grid-scale battery sites, with a further 4.2GW contracted.

Its platform will support EDF’s energy trading by managing the control and dispatch of energy.

Kraken’s general manager for infrastructure flex Charlotte Johnson said: “Grid-scale batteries are a crucial part of the reliable, renewable energy system of the future.

“We are working with terrific partners in EDF and Zenobe, and transforming the grid to make full use of the cheapest energy available – from the wind and sun – to bring down bills for everyone.”

Zenobe co-founder and director James Basden said: “Integrated with Kraken’s innovative platform, Blackhillock will be Europe’s largest and most technically advanced battery.

“It will also be the first transmission connected battery in the world to deliver stability services, a vital solution if we are to continue the transition to renewable power at speed and scale.”