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Centrica has begun construction work to double the capacity at its Brigg Energy Park in Lincolnshire
It will add four engines to the former combined cycle gas power station to expand the peaking plant.
The turbine hall, which was decommissioned in 2020, will house the new engines to bring the plant’s capacity to 100MW of fast demand response power.
Centrica is preparing to launch a trial later this year to blend hydrogen into the gas at the Brigg site to make the expanded plant hydrogen-ready.
The trial will see it ramping up from a 3% blend to 20% in a move towards 100% hydrogen, and then roll out the technology across all peaking plants.
“Everything we do is aimed at ensuring our customers have the energy they need, when they need it, at the cheapest price possible,” Chris O’Shea, Centrica chief executive, said.
“While the UK has made amazing progress towards a renewable energy future, gas plays an essential role in ensuring homes and businesses have access to a reliable electricity supply when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine. So, we’re delighted to be expanding the Brigg energy park to help balance the increasing renewables on the grid.”
Once connected to the grid, the four new peaking plant engines will be able to power 20,000 homes to maintain grid stability at times of low generation from renewable sources.
A 50MW battery will be added to the Brigg site alongside the commercial-scale hydrogen production and 100MW of gas peaking plant. Centrica holds a 5% stake in the HiiROC technology it uses in the hydrogen trial.
The company announced its plans to begin injecting hydrogen into gas in 2022 at the Brigg site, funded partly by the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC).
The hydrogen will be produced using a proprietary technology developed by HiiROC that converts biomethane and natural gas into hydrogen and carbon black through a thermal plasma electrolysis process. Carbon black – a form of pure, solid carbon – can be used in applications including tyres, rubbers, toners, building materials and soil enhancers.
In March, Centrica completed construction to expand its peaking plant in Worcestershire, with eight containerised engines installed at the decommissioned power plant in Redditch.
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