Image: Thrive Renewables. A 5MW/7.45MWh battery storage project near Milton Keynes – Thrive Renewables’ first – has this month entered into construction. Initial ground works and site preparation have begun, and will be followed by the earthing installation. After this, the trench will be dug and the cable connecting the Wicken battery to the electricity grid will be laid. The project is expected to be fully operational in August of this year, with Wicken to provide flexibility and balancing services, charging the batteries when clean energy is abundant and exporting it back to the grid during peak usage times. It is also to provide frequency response services to National Grid.