Agenda item

Planning Officer – Lucy Greene

The Forum had before it a report by the Interim Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning, on a submission of a Proposal of Application for a major development for the erection of battery based energy storage facility, at land At Raiths Industrial Estate, by Kirkton Drive, Off Pitmedden Road, Dyce, planning reference 211081.

The report advised that the proposal was to erect structures for the housing of energy storage batteries and associated equipment. 49.9MW of energy storage would be provided. The storage batteries would be stacked on racks within approximately 52 no. shipping container type structures (13m x 2.5m x 2.6m), which together with transformers and converters, a sub-station and other ancillary equipment and buildings would be contained within a fenced compound. Solid state lithium batteries would be used and the containers would also have air conditioning units for cooling.

The purpose of the facility would be to take excess power from the grid and store it, to then be fed back into the grid for use at times of need. The report stated that the power would largely be from renewable energy sources which would otherwise be switched off when power was in excess of demand. Power would not be generated on site. The report noted that the applicant stated that the site had been selected as it was close to the Dyce grid supply point, which was understood to be to the west at Cothal View. This would be linked by a cable laid within the road.

The Forum heard from Lucy Green, Senior Planner, who addressed the Forum and provided details regarding the planning aspects of the application. 

Ms Greene explained that the site was zoned as B1 (Business and Industrial Land) in the Aberdeen Local Development Plan and noted that Policy B1 retains land for office and industrial uses, including Class 4: Business, 5: General Industrial and Class 6: Storage and Distribution. It is stated that conditions may be imposed restricting levels of noise, hours of operation and external storage.

Ms Greene also highlighted Policy R8: Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Developments and advised that the policy supported in principle proposals for the development of renewable and low carbon energy schemes. Although the policy principally envisages renewable energy generating technologies it contained criteria for assessing schemes, indicating support where these involve technology operating efficiently and environmental and cumulative impacts were satisfactorily addressed. The criteria related to the impact on the local environment, landscape and heritage; impact on air quality, tourism and residential amenity.

Ms Greene also noted that the site fell just outside the area zoned for Aberdeen Airport, but within the safeguarding area and as such Policy B4 – Aberdeen Airport would apply. In terms of safeguarding, Policy B4 described the consultation that would take place with the Airport. Aviation impacts should be considered as part of the design of the proposed development in particular matters such as height of buildings, landscaping, impact on communication and navigation systems; bird hazards and lighting.

Ms Greene also made reference to Policies D1 (Quality Placemaking by Design), D2 (Landscape), NE8 (natural heritage), T2 (Managing the Transport Impact of Development) and T3 – (Sustainable and Active Travel).

It was noted  that as part of the application, the applicant had been advised that the following information would need to accompany the formal submission:-

·       Plans, including layout and elevations;

·       Design and Access Statement;

·       Landscape Plan, including planting to boundary;

·       Tree survey, including protection measures for trees along southern boundary and bat roost potential of any trees proposed to be removed;

·       Drainage Impact Assessment and SUDS proposals;

·       Preliminary Ecological Assessment;

·       Transport Statement and swept path analysis for emergency and refuse vehicles;

·       Noise Impact Assessment; and

·       Planning Supporting Statement, including setting out how the proposal fits within the national and local policy framework regarding renewable energy and climate change.

The Forum then heard from the applicant/agent and the presenters were as follows:-

·       Andrew Hughes – PR & Media Manager, ILI Group; and

·       Greig Templeton – Planning Manager, ILI Group.

They explained that (1) the application was for a 49.9MW Energy Storage facility containerised Battery Storage, (2) the development would consist of containers containing batteries and associated equipment, an access track, electricity, meter building and fencing, (3) stores excess energy from the grid, (4) puts electricity back into the grid when required and (5) this helped balance the supply and demand for the grid.  It was noted that there would be 52 energy units and 13 converters. 

In terms of why the facility was needed, they noted that:-

·       Scotland had a target of Net Zero by 2045

·       Renewable energy was intermittent, which meant we can’t rely on it to meet demand;

·       Fossil fuel generators, coal gas and nuclear make up the difference however as these go offline, there will be a need to be able to meet that demand;

·       Energy storage would allow them to store renewable energy for when it was needed

·       National Grid ESO had estimated there was a  need for up to 40GW of energy storage by 2050. The Scottish Energy Strategy, published 2018, supported new energy storage capacity and stated that the Scottish Government would continue to support innovation and deployment in storage and to work to accelerate its penetration across Scotland.

In relation to the site, they explained that the land was located near the Dyce Grid Supply Point (GSP), and there was available capacity at the GSP. 

They noted that 12 transformers and converters would be placed between the energy storage units and the power converters would be around 1.6 by 1.4 metres tall, and transformers would be around 2.7 by 2.5 metres tall.  However the final equipment and size may vary slightly.

They also advised that a small site substation was proposed to house SSE switchgear, site switchgear, electricity metering and control equipment and health and safety equipment.  This would be a prefabricated GRP building up to 10 metres by 6 metres by 3.2 metres high and the colour would be agreed with the Council.

Members then asked a number of questions of both the applicant and the case officer.

The report recommended:-

that the Forum –

(a)            Note the key issues identified;

(b)            If necessary, seek clarification on any particular matters; and

(c)             Identify relevant issues which they would like the applicant to consider and address in any future application.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)              to request that the applicant consider consulting with both first responders and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in relation to the proposed development and include any mitigations with their final submission, in order to assist with safety concerns;

(ii)             to note that the development would be monitored remotely 24 hours a day 7 days a week; and

(iii)            to otherwise thank the presenters for their informative presentation.