MVA Energy Project
St-Niklaas BESS
The St-Niklaas BESS has a capacity of 120MW/480MWh and will be one of the largest battery storage projects in Belgium when it commences operations in 2028.
The battery site will store surplus electricity from local wind and solar farms, preventing it from being wasted, and supply that energy back to the grid when renewable production is low.
Storage systems like St-Niklaas will be critical in substituting polluting natural gas and coal plants off the grid by maximising the value of Belgium’s domestic renewable resources. It will also play a major role in helping stabilise a highly renewable power system and lower the risks of blackouts.
Capacity
120MW/480MWh
Battery Technology
LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
Connection
Heimolen 150kV
Status
Grid Connection Received, Permitting application in progress
Questions & Answers
What is the ‘St-Niklaas BESS’ project?
A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a large electricity project that connects directly into the High Voltage Electricity Transmission system of ELIA. The St-Niklaas project specifically will be developed on a 2.7-hectare site next to the E17 in St-Niklaas. The purpose of this project is to store electricity when there is a surplus of renewable energy on ELIA’s system and to then release it again back onto the system when there is a shortage of electricity. This helps balance ELIA’s grid when there is a large amount of renewable energy generation, enabling a de-carbonised system to operate economically and safely, including keeping the voltage and frequency of the grid stable. The project will consist of 32 inverters, 128 battery containers, a high-voltage transformer, and the necessary control equipment.
Why was this location chosen for the BESS project?
This location is particularly well suited for the construction of a BESS project for several reasons. The site is located in a zone designated for community facilities and public utilities. This is the type of zone defined by law for placing infrastructure such as transformers and other electrical equipment. Moreover, there is sufficient space to carry out the project with minimal impact on the surrounding area. The plots are also located close to an ELIA substation, and there is adequate capacity available on the Elia network in the region to accommodate the project’s connection capacity. Additionally, high-voltage power lines and the highway are already present, which helps limit the visual impact of the project. All these factors make this location ideal for building a BESS project.
How will the BESS project manage its visual impact?
The project will involve extensive planting of vegetation around the site to reduce its visual impact. The only location where this will not be possible is directly beneath the large existing overhead lines, where it is prohibited by regulations.
Will the BESS project be expanded in the future?
No, it is not possible because there is no longer sufficient capacity available on the Elia network in the region for an expansion and the existing site has enough space to deliver the necessary system benefits with its existing connection capacity.
Is there a danger to local residents if a fire breaks out at the BESS site?
No, there is no danger to local residents. The battery containers are well protected against fire, using fire-resistant materials and various constantly monitored, digital sensors. The technology for utility scale batteries like this has developed significantly in recent years and meets high safety standards which have also been consulted on with the local fire service and other stakeholders. If there is a risk of overheating, the batteries automatically shut down. In the highly unlikely event that the safety systems fail, only a small, localized fire could occur within one container. Thanks to the spacing between the battery containers and the fire-resistant materials, the fire would not be able to spread further. The site is also easily accessible for the fire department via two entrances, and several hydrants are available.
Does the BESS produce noise?
Yes, like many industrial installations, BESS sites do produce noise. This noise mainly comes from two sources: the high-voltage transformer, which can emit a humming sound, and the fans inside the battery containers, which are needed to cool the equipment. Additionally, the inverters also generate some noise, though to a lesser extent. Even in the worst-case scenario, with no other background noise and the system running at full load, the battery park produces only a barely noticeable rise in ambient noise.
Are measures being taken to reduce this noise?
Yes, several mitigating measures are being taken to limit potential noise disturbance:
• A sound barrier will be installed around the BESS site to reduce noise transmission.
• The batteries with fans will be placed in enclosed cabinets.
• The inverters will be fitted with noise-damping kits.
• The installation is designed to comply with the strictest standards of environmental legislation, ensuring no disturbance to local residents.
Does the BESS produce more noise than the highway?
Certainly not. We need to speak here in terms of maximum sound power at the source. This means the installation can produce up to 85 dB(A), but only directly at the sound source. In practice, however, the sound sources are enclosed in cabinets and behind a sound barrier. Furthermore, this maximum noise level only occurs when the installation is running at full capacity.
How does the noise compare to the highway?
Here too, you must consider the maximum sound power at the source, or you’ll be making an incorrect comparison. You would, for instance, need to place a sound meter right next to the tires and engines of trucks during heavy traffic. In that case, you would measure a sound level of over 100 dB(A), which is much louder than the battery park.
Will highways become quieter with electric vehicles?
No, the noise from a highway mainly comes from the contact between tires and asphalt, not from the engines. For passenger cars at speeds over 50 km/h and for trucks over 70 km/h, tire noise is the dominant source. This doesn’t change whether vehicles run on petrol, diesel, or electricity.
What level of noise is still audible at nearby homes?
If the wind is blowing from the direction of the BESS site and the battery cooling is running at full power, the noise level at the nearest house will be a maximum of 47 dB(A). In contrast, the highway produces an average noise level between 55 and 60 dB(A) from the same measurement points. It’s important to understand that decibel levels cannot simply be added together. For example, a normal conversation is about 60 dB(A), but two people talking at once doesn’t make it 120 dB(A)—120 dB(A) is the source noise level of a police siren. So, because the highway already generates noise, you will not be able to hear the BESS site—even when it’s operating at full power. In practice, the increase in ambient noise will not be noticeable.
Does the sound from the BESS site travel as far as the sound from the highway?
No. The BESS site is a relatively small industrial installation at a single location, whereas the highway stretches over many kilometres and spreads sound over a much larger distance. As a result, highway noise will travel much farther and be more noticeable than the noise from the battery park. Additionally, a sound barrier will be installed around the BESS site to further dampen the sound and minimize the impact on the surroundings.
Could the sound from the BESS site be annoying due to different frequencies?
No, the BESS site fully complies with environmental legislation, which regulates noise at different frequencies. Whether high or low tones, the park meets the standards and does not cause nuisance due to sound.
How reliable is the noise study?
The organization that conducted the noise study could lose its accreditation if the study is not properly carried out. Acoustic experts have official recognition from the government and are required to perform their studies objectively, in accordance with current legislation.
Moreover, no one benefits from an inaccurate study. We certainly do not want to risk having the installation breach environmental inspections for failing to meet regulated requirements. The study firm is paid to provide the most accurate and independent conclusions.
Is the cooling system of the installation dangerous?
The transformer is cooled with mineral oils. Should a problem unexpectedly occur, the oil is safely collected in a containment basin so it can be removed without any danger. These containment systems are oversized, ensuring that even in an exceptional incident—such as a complete leakage of transformer oil—they can fully contain the spill and prevent any environmental contamination.
The batteries are cooled with a coolant located within the racks, which cannot leak under normal conditions. For added safety, a collection system is also provided to safely capture and dispose of any potential leaks without posing a risk to the environment.
Will the BESS site cause additional electromagnetic radiation?
No, the only new high-voltage cable is the underground connection between the battery park and the Elia substation. Upon arrival at the BESS site, the voltage is immediately reduced to a much lower level. The BESS site itself does not produce additional radiation. It complies with all applicable standards for electromagnetic radiation and operates at low voltage, resulting in no measurable radiation emissions.
Will nearby houses decrease in value?
Homes in the vicinity will not experience additional disturbance from the BESS site beyond the noise already present from existing high-voltage lines and the highway. Therefore, this project will not affect the value of nearby homes.
Are there benefits of this BESS site for the city and the region?
A battery connected to the local grid enables the use of more locally generated green energy. By storing energy temporarily and releasing it when needed, a battery also helps relieve grid congestion. During periods of overload, the batteries can quickly supply large amounts of energy to the surrounding area, adding extra flexibility. Finally, a battery increases the reliability of the electricity grid and improves voltage stability—both essential for a robust and sustainable energy supply. This electrical stabilisation will become increasingly important as the amount of locally connected solar and wind generation increases further, ensuring the quality of power in the local area is maintained.
Does this BESS project contribute to the climate policy of the City of Sint-Niklaas?
The City of Sint-Niklaas has signed the Covenant of Mayors, committing to reduce CO₂ emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 2011 levels. The BESS site will play a key role in achieving this. By storing green electricity, the need for fossil-fuel-based electricity is reduced. In this way, the park actively contributes to the climate goals of Sint-Niklaas, Flanders, and Europe.
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