Following its recent completion of a 20MWe flexible generation plant in Trafford, Greater Manchester – Salford-based Ylem Energy Ltd, has confirmed that a further 6.6MWe system has commenced operation at an industrial site on the outskirts of Skelmerdale, Lancashire.
Located at the Blaguegate Works on the site of a former colliery, the facility comprises of six natural-gas-fuelled generators that can produce a combined output of 6.6MWe. This fast-responding flexible power is essential to help balance the national grid during times of peak demand, especially when the output from fluctuating renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power is low.
Owned and operated by Ylem Energy, the Blaguegate Works system utilises gas-fuelled generators that have all been repurposed from its own fleet of landfill-gas-generation systems. A generator would normally become available when a landfill site’s diminishing gas yield becomes too small to efficiently fuel the installed generator, therefore requiring it to be swapped for a smaller unit. Completely overhauled in-house by Ylem Energy’s team of engineers, the systems have all been refurbished, installed, tested and commissioned in preparation for their contribution towards the UK’s drive towards decentralisation.
Ian Gadsby, managing director of Ylem Energy Ltd, commented: “This 6.6MW Blaguegate Works facility is the latest in a current crop of projects we have in various stages of planning and development. When complete, our portfolio of self-financed, flexible generation and storage assets will have grown to a combined capacity of some 150MWe – all of which will proactively participate in the balancing market.
“These types of systems are an essential component in securing the UK’s energy future and enable it to meet its target of net-zero carbon emissions.
“During the final stages of commissioning the Blaguegate Works system, our team faced the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m very grateful to them for quickly adapting to our enhanced health and safety procedures in order to keep everyone safe whilst allowing this vital system to come online and contribute towards bolstering the UK’s security of supply.”
