About the Project

RES is exploring the potential for an energy storage project on land adjacent to the Alness substation, approximately 1.5km north-west of Alness.

The energy storage project is not expected to exceed 4 hectares in size and will have a capacity of 49.9MW.

The site lies outside of any international, national or local environmental designations and there are no nationally important heritage designations in the immediate vicinity.

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Design Layout and Infrastructure

The plan to the right shows the current layout for the 49.9MW Contullich Energy Storage project. We are still consulting on the 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 are designing the energy storage system so that it will fit sensitively in the surrounding landscape.

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

These assessments 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 - the specific objectives of this assessment is to set 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.

Flood Risk & Surface Water Management - a review of flood risk from various sources is being 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.

Noise & Vibration - noise is an important consideration, and the energy storage system will be 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.

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.

Arboricultural Survey - through the Arboricultural Survey, trees and shrubs on or near the site, have been taken into consideration to ensure they are adequately protected from damage during the construction or operation of the energy storage project, if it is consented.

Landscaping and Biodiversity Enhancement

The Contullich 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.

Throughout the construction phase there would be a combination of HGVs 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.

It is proposed that all equipment deliveries would be from the southwest, via the B9176 Struie Road thus avoiding the Dal-Neigh Bridge.

At this stage we are still investigating two options for accessing the site, as shown in the plan to the right.

A Transport Statement will accompany the planning application, which will outline the overall framework for managing the safe movement of construction and delivery traffic as well as itemising the expected number of traffic movements and timing 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.

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.

Electricity is not physically generated on site.