High voltage power contractor Smith Brothers has begun work on the first of Arlington Energy’s energy storage and gas peaking projects – a short term operating reserve (STOR) site in Sheffield, Yorkshire.
With work having commenced on the Chesterfield Road development earlier this month, the site is set to house eight gas generators and the associated infrastructure. Once complete, the plant will provide back-up power generation to National Grid. Smith Brothers is also working alongside Northern Power Grid (NPg) to achieve a 66kV connection for the power generation of the plant.
The planned turnkey programme of works will see the contractor carrying out all engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) civil and electrical engineering aspects of the connection assignment – from initial design, through to final commissioning.
Preliminary works saw Smith Brothers’ specialist power system design team oversee all EPC electrical and civil design and approval processes for the contestable elements of the project – including those on behalf of the DNO.
The EPC works will include the procurement, delivery, installation and commissioning of eight 2.5MW gas generators and an 11kV switchboard – as well as the required on-site gas pipe engineering. Meanwhile, private works will include planning, proving and laying of the cable route, as well as procurement, delivery, installation and commissioning of a 66/11kV power transformer and 66kV switchgear – alongside all associated infrastructure.
In order to reduce environmental impact to the surrounding areas, the development will be surrounded by an acoustic barrier fence and – upon completion – the site will be landscaped, in order to encourage local wildlife to return.
Dave Ogden, director at Smith Brothers said, “We’re delighted that work has commenced on Sheffield’s Chesterfield Road gas-peaking project. This is the first STOR site set to be added to Arlington Energy’s planned 1GW portfolio of UK energy storage and gas peaking projects, and we’re proud to be working alongside such a renowned brand.”
“We have worked closely with Arlington to move the portfolio forward over the past year, and we are delighted that our technical expertise enables us to support them during this significant new phase of growth.”
Matt Clare, director of Arlington Infrastructure added, “It’s great to see work having started on the Chesterfield Road site. It’s the first of many gas peaking projects Arlington has in the pipeline and given the scale of our portfolio and approach to the market generally, it was crucial that we partnered with a trusted counterparty who would take care of all our EPC and technical needs.”
The Smith Brothers team, along with a project manager, site manager and several sub-contractors, will work towards the final commissioning of the scheme – and subsequent energisation – by September 2019.