EDF Group has acquired battery storage specialist Pivot Power to enhance its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure projects.

Pivot Power provides large-scale battery storage systems that can be used to support the grid during periods of peak demand.

It currently has projects ongoing in more than 40 locations throughout the country, each of which can support hundreds of new rapid EV chargers, potentially suitable for large retail sites, logistics centres, bus depots and park and rides.

Bruno Bensasson, EDF Group’s senior executive vice president, chairman and CEO of EDF Renewables, said: “Following PowerFlex Systems recent acquisition in the United States, this new acquisition of smart electricity storage and electric vehicle charging systems player is strengthening our expertise globally.

“Thanks to the skills developed within this specific field of electricity, the Pivot Power team will be a great addition to EDF. This is another positive step in the rollout of the Group’s Electricity Storage and Mobility Plans.”

Its first two projects are at Kemsley (Kent) and Cowley (Oxford) and have land, planning and grid connection agreements in place, which are expected to be commissioned next year.

Pivot Power will develop a private wire infrastructure to enable the development of mass rapid charging points across the UK.

Each of Pivot Power’s projects has the potential to host a battery capable of exporting 50MW of power.

Both battery storage and EV rapid charging infrastructure are two key components of the UK’s targets to reach net zero by 2050.

Battery storage integration in the electricity transmission grid will also provide flexible capacity which will enhance the reliability of the network.

Recently, the Government announced plans to invest more than half a billion pounds of investments in green technologies, with electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure receiving the lion’s share.

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