Overview
Rise Carr Darlington / CLNR EES3-1 is an operational pumped hydro storage facility in the United Kingdom, owned by Northern Powergrid. With a capacity of 2.5 MW, it supports grid stability and peak shaving.
Rise Carr Darlington / CLNR EES3-1 is a pumped hydro storage facility located in the United Kingdom, owned by Northern Powergrid. The plant is operational and contributes to the region's energy storage capacity with a power rating of 2.5 MW. Pumped hydro storage is a mature technology that uses gravitational potential energy to store and generate electricity, making it a reliable component of the UK's energy infrastructure. The facility operates under the UK's regulatory framework for energy storage, which includes compliance with safety standards such as the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations. While specific technical details beyond capacity are not disclosed, pumped hydro plants typically feature high round-trip efficiency and long operational lifespans. The UK has been expanding its energy storage capacity to support renewable integration, and facilities like this play a role in balancing supply and demand. Environmentally, pumped hydro storage provides grid services such as frequency regulation and peak shaving, reducing reliance on fossil fuel peaker plants. The facility's location in Darlington, a town in County Durham, aligns with regional efforts to enhance energy resilience. By storing excess renewable energy and releasing it during high demand, the plant helps lower carbon emissions and supports the UK's net-zero targets.
Environmental context
Pumped hydro storage facilities like Rise Carr Darlington / CLNR EES3-1 offer significant environmental benefits by enabling greater integration of renewable energy sources. They help stabilize the grid by absorbing excess generation from wind and solar, reducing curtailment. However, siting considerations include potential impacts on local water resources and ecosystems, as pumped hydro requires two reservoirs at different elevations. In the UK, such projects are subject to environmental impact assessments to mitigate these effects.
Frequently asked questions
Rise Carr Darlington / CLNR EES3-1 is located in Darlington, County Durham, United Kingdom.
The facility has a power capacity of 2.5 MW, making it a small-scale pumped hydro storage plant.
The facility is owned by Northern Powergrid, a distribution network operator in the UK.
Pumped hydro storage in the UK must comply with the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations, as well as environmental impact assessment requirements. While specific battery safety standards like NFPA 855 are not directly applicable, general grid connection and operational safety codes apply.
The facility provides grid services such as peak shaving and frequency regulation, helping to balance supply and demand and integrate renewable energy sources.