Green energy company Ecotricity plans to install its first energy storage project just a few meters away from its head office in Stroud.

Utilising the latest battery technology, the peak output from the site will be around 2.5MW - that's about the same output as a large windmill and enough energy to power over 1,200 kettles all at once.

The battery will charge up during off-peak hours when people use less electricity and deliver energy back into the Grid when it is needed most - helping to balance the National Grid.

Dale Vince, Ecotricity founder, said: "We've been looking at energy storage for some time now - waiting for the technology to make it possible. And we're excited that we're now at that point.

"Not many people know that, as an energy company, we have to manage the energy our customers use every half an hour - energy storage will better allow us to do that, meaning we can more efficiently supply energy and better manage the green energy we generate.

"This is a trial project for us - and we're going to learn a lot about energy storage and how it can help us. And we're hoping it will be the first of many more energy storage projects to come."

As well as balancing the National Grid, Ecotricity's energy storage will provide green energy at peak demand: a demand usually met by diesel generators and gas power stations - thereby reducing carbon emissions and other pollution.

The project will be located at Ecotricity's Wallbridge building in Stroud, after Stroud District Council recently approved the site for change of use.

The energy storage project is the latest in a series of Ecotricity investments in the town, after the company announced plans to build a new office for up to 300 staff and renovate its Imperial House building near Stroud train station.