AI Drives 50MW Battery Optimization: ep Group & GridBeyond Partnership
ep Group has partnered with GridBeyond to deploy an AI-powered energy management system at the North Baddesley 50MW battery energy storage system (BESS). The project links advanced machine learning models to real-time grid signals so the asset can operate as an active market participant in the UK energy system.
Smart Energy Management for the North Baddesley BESS
GridBeyond’s cloud-based EMS combines short-term price forecasting, state-of-charge optimisation and predictive asset health models. Telemetry from the BESS feeds ensemble forecasting algorithms and reinforcement learning modules that select charging and discharging schedules in real time. Integration with market gateways allows automated bids into services such as frequency response, balancing and the capacity market.
Maximizing Revenue with AI Forecasting and Strategic Trading
AI improves price and demand forecasts across intraday and day-ahead markets, enabling strategic trading decisions across multiple revenue streams. The platform supports revenue stacking by evaluating trade-offs between reserve payments, wholesale arbitrage and capacity contracts. Predictive degradation models guide cycle depth and timing to reduce battery wear, which preserves asset value while supporting higher lifetime returns.
“The combination of ep Group’s asset scale with GridBeyond’s forecasting gives the project the market agility needed in today’s UK energy landscape,” said a spokesperson for ep Group. “Real-time decisions are essential to capture market volatility and protect the asset,” added a GridBeyond representative.
Implications for the UK Energy Transition
Applying AI at the North Baddesley site demonstrates how BESS can be operated as flexible grid infrastructure that earns revenue while stabilising networks. Wider adoption of these techniques supports distributed energy growth, more reliable frequency control and deeper decarbonisation of electricity supply. For investors and operators, AI-driven EMS is shifting BESS from a fixed asset into an active market actor that balances commercial returns with system value.
For energy professionals tracking grid-scale storage, the ep Group and GridBeyond collaboration is a clear example of practical AI application in modern energy trading.
