The UK’s energy storage sector took “a great step forward” after completing what is thought to be the world’s first grid-scale liquid air energy storage (LAES) plant at the Pilsworth landfill gas site in Bury, near Manchester, the two companies involved have said.

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After technology provider Highview Power and waste management specialist Viridor finished working on the 5MW/15MWh LAES plant, it was officially unveiled today by Professor John Loughhead, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), almost three years after Highview revealed work was well underway on the demonstrator with backing from General Electric.

The project which was developed in partnership with Viridor, used £8 million of government funding to become the first operational demonstration of the LAES technology.

Read more: Energy Storage News