Norwegian energy giant Statoil has announced the launch of a pilot programme aimed at equipping a floating wind farm, currently under construction off the coast of Scotland, with a mega-battery system for energy storage.

This is an innovative solution in the field of renewable energy exploitation, which makes it possible to overcome – or at least mitigate – the problem of wind intermittency, by storing energy and then deploying it according to consumer needs.

A "paradigm shift" for wind energy

The capacity of the lithium batteries – known as BatWind – will in fact amount to one megawatt-hour, equivalent to the energy stored in the batteries of "more than two million iPhones", the Scandinavian company explained. The system is expected to be installed by the end of 2018.

Statoil also specified that the project could represent "a paradigm shift" in the sector's technologies. The batteries will be powered by five HyWind turbines, which will be positioned approximately 25 kilometres off the Aberdeenshire coastline in Scotland. The new wind farm is expected to begin generating energy as early as 2017, a full year before the batteries are installed.

Statoil promises efficiency and cost reduction

Thanks to these batteries, the Norwegian company stated, "we expect to solve the problem of wind energy intermittency, optimising production, improving efficiency and also lowering costs." "The project will make it possible to maximise the output of the wind farm, providing a new boost to the renewables sector at both national and international level," added Scotland's Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing.

Several British universities and energy suppliers are also involved in the project. What remains to be seen is whether the use of giant batteries might entail too great an environmental impact, both in terms of their manufacture and their subsequent disposal.

In the opening image, an offshore wind turbine. Five HyWind turbines will be installed off the coast of Scotland ©Statoil ASA