Nigel Reams, CEO, Lumcloon Energy and Jiho Shin, Hanwha Energy Corporation, Korea, at the announcement in Tullamore of a €150million investment for west Offaly this week.

€150m investment in power storage technology

Published: Sat 28 Apr 2018, 9:00 AM

Offaly based Lumcloon Energy Limited, founded by local entrepreneur Nigel Reams, has agreed a partnership with South Korean energy company giant, Hanwha Energy Corporation, to develop two new 100MW sustainable energy projects in the Midlands.

Based in Lumcloon and Shannonbridge in west Offaly, the projects will involve a combined investment of €150 million, with each project providing more than 120 jobs at construction phase and 10 during operation.

The new power facilities, based on state-of-the-art battery storage technology, are a ‘100% clean’ power source. It involves no direct use of fuel or emissions, instead storing and releasing small but highly flexible amounts of power to respond to public demand and grid requirements.

The two facilities are unobtrusive, almost silent in operation and not a power plant in the conventional sense.

Lumcloon Energy Ltd received planning permission in August last to develop the battery energy storage facility on a 4.45 hectare site, at Lumcloon, which fronts onto the R357 between Blueball and Cloghan.
The site includes land which previously contained part of the former ESB power station closed in 2001 and decommissioned in 2004.
Documents submitted to Offaly County Council as part of the planning application said Lumcloon Energy Ltd proposes to develop an ESS (energy storage system) facility capable of providing 100MW of system support services to the electricity grid.

Nigel Reams, Kilcormac native and CEO of Lumcloon Energy, said the project will deliver a custom-made and cost-friendly services for the renewable energy age and greatly reduce the looming threat of emissions fines from the EU related to 2020 targets.

“This project will provide essential back-up for Ireland’s rapidly expanding renewable energy sector and benefit consumers and business alike.

“Together with our partners, Hanwha and a second Korean company LSIS, this project complements the grid in overcoming the challenges being faced by operating with wind power as we increase our reliance and dependency on renewables,” he said.

“Our electricity traditionally came from highly pollutant sources, like coal, gas oil. Those days are rapidly coming to an end and this project will help make Ireland instead the world leader in renewable energy,” Nigel Reams said.

Eirgrid, the national grid operator, earlier this month announced ‘record levels’ of 65% mainly wind-based renewable energy following a successful five-month trial and aims for 75% levels in the near future.

Mr Ji Ho Shin, executive director of Hanwha Energy Corporation, said this partnership would be a significant cornerstone to contribute to the energy business in Ireland.

“Hanwha would expect to support the energy policy in Ireland by taking the opportunity to develop and install Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS), enhancing the stability and reliability of power system in Ireland.

“With long-time experience in the energy business across the globe, Hanwha would like to accomplish remarkable energy projects in Ireland, ” he said.

This development will introduce Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS) to Ireland for the first time on a commercial basis. It is aimed specifically at supporting Ireland’s 2020 renewable targets by enabling greater levels of wind and solar to be accommodated on the Grid.