Hawkers Hill

Challenge

Following a competitive tender process, we were awarded the project due to our vast experience and renewable energy expertise. The project’s objective was to support the UK’s national grid playing an important role in boosting the country’s ability to capture, store and release renewable energy for a more reliable and regular supply.

Solution

In order to begin construction, the site required excavation works. Our team excavated the site, created foundations, and constructed a new road to allow access to the project and the installation of the 33kv switch room, transformers and the Tesla Megapack.

What’s more, as the site is in close proximity to the national grid, infrastructure and the site had to be rotated slightly during the construction design phase to ensure cable bending radius could be maintained and sit within tight boundaries.

Due to the complexity and size of the project, detailed technical drawings were required by our in-house design team. The site also had sophisticated security with CCTV and fire detection through the use of thermal camaras.

Site security was of upmost importance to us. Therefore, during the construction period the area was fenced and guarded by 360 VideoGuard to ensure intruders didn’t access the area and were deterred.

The sites infrastructure had to be upgraded to accept a new 33kV connection through new DNO grid connection dedicated to the project. Furthermore, a new DNO switch room was built adjacent to the site.

We also discovered an old stone wall drain which wasn’t suitable for drainage connection and had to find an alternative connection point.

Result

Our team worked to a tight programme to ensure the project was operational by the end of September and that the contract to provide grid services was in pace and available during the much-needed winter period.

The site will use Tesla’s Megapack batteries, which can be charged up in just two hours. The facility will also use Tesla’s Autobidder AI software for real-time trading and control.

Flexible technology systems like Hawkers Hill will form part of the UK’s smarter electricity grid, supporting the integration of more low-carbon power, heat and transport technologies.