Invinity Energy Systems has completed the installation of a 20.7 MWh vanadium flow battery system at the Copwood VFB Energy Hub in East Sussex.
The plant is set to become Europe’s largest vanadium flow battery once operational, and adds to Invinity’s network of installations across the UK.
The flagship project pairs the battery with a 3 MWp solar array on site, with combined capacity roughly equivalent to the daily electricity demand of 3,000 homes.
It’s a UK-first at this scale, and a meaningful proof point for long-duration energy storage as the technology moves from concept to commercial deployment.
Invinity Energy Systems shares were 2% higher at the time of writing on Tuesday.
With national energy security firmly back on the agenda, Copwood is being positioned as a flagship demonstration for how LDES can soak up cheap renewable generation and reduce reliance on imported gas.
Invinity notes that an announcement on Ofgem’s LDES Cap and Floor scheme is expected shortly, which could open the door to similar projects being rolled out at pace across the UK.
Subject to final sign-off from the local Distribution Network Operator, the project is expected to connect to the grid and begin generating revenue before the end of this year.
A site open day for shareholders and prospective customers is to follow.
The UK National Wealth Fund invested £25m in Invinity Energy Systems in 2024 to help the firm develop vanadium flow battery systems. Today’s announcement is the fruit of that investment.
Stuart Nivison, Head of Portfolio Management, National Wealth Fund, said: “Invinity’s progress at the Copwood VFB Energy Hub demonstrates how targeted public investment can accelerate the manufacturing of new technology, support the transition to clean power, boost energy security and create skilled jobs in the UK.”