Short-term operating reserve (STOR) assets are a critical part of the UK power network; swiftly dispatching extra power when demand is greater than forecast, or generation capacity less than anticipated.

Black & Veatch served as owner’s engineer on a programme to create a 160 MW portfolio of STOR generation assets across eight sites in the UK. We provided the client with the execution certainty essential to ensure construction and commissioning was completed within the timescale set by the UK government’s Capacity Market programme. Failure to meet the Capacity Market deadline would affect significantly the programmes’ profitability.

In an evolving energy market, the Capacity Market was introduced to ensure demand for electricity would continue to be met as conventional sources of power are replaced with more intermittent forms of renewable energy.

Each of the STOR sites has multiple gas engine generators, switchgear, transformer and grid connection. Black & Veatch provided support for every element of the project lifecycle and, critically, the technical and programme interfaces between them:

• Development of performance design
• Bid evaluation review
• Detailed design review
• Major equipment supplier surveillance
• Construction support
• Start-up and commissioning services

As a world-class provider of power generation engineering, procurement and construction services, Black & Veatch was able to provide technical advice coupled with project and construction management in order to minimise risk and provide schedule and cost certainty. A challenged programme was restored to schedule and the client was provided with detailed technical understanding, and means of review for the design, construction, and operation of the sites. This was achieved by local experts able to draw readily upon the resources of Black & Veatch’s global power business.

The power sector’s investors, developers and energy providers need confidence in the quality of the advice they receive. The most complete analysis and insights will come from partners with expertise in both power generation economics and technology. Black & Veatch’s performance on this project, and an ever-growing number of UK STOR and battery storage projects, demonstrates the UK power team’s trusted advisor status.