PLANS to build an energy storage facility have been submitted in response to the National Grid's 'urgent requirement to manage fluctuations and imbalances in the grid network'.

Volta Energy Storage Ltd has put forward proposals for the industrial site, on Lyncastle Road.

If built, the development would include substations, a transformer and battery container.

The design and access statement highlighted that 'the UK has a strategic objective to transform itself into a low carbon economy, while also providing a secure and affordable energy mix'.

It added: "From a power generation perspective, this is reflected in the UK target to generate 15 per cent of power from renewable sources by 2020.

"As the UK's renewable energy industry grows, the national transmission network run by National Grid has to cope with greater fluctuation in power generation, often at very short notice.

"This is driven by the higher intermittency of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power generation.

"In order to support this shift to a larger renewable generation mix, National Grid now urgently require the capability to respond at the instant these imbalances occur to keep the transmission grid balanced and within the required frequency range.

"This application for planning permission responds to National Grid’s urgent requirement to manage fluctuations and imbalances in the grid network.

"The proposed development will store electricity at times of low network demand and re-distribute the stored electricity to the grid at times of high demand when the network is in system stress and in doing so will contribute to addressing grid imbalances that could otherwise cause power cuts.

"The proposed energy storage facility will have the capacity to store up to 2MW of power and will feed this directly back on to the network via the adjacent substation when required, which makes the site's location ideal for the proposed development."

The application expires on August 29.