CORRECTED (OFFICIAL)-BUZZ-UK's National Grid awards first balancing contracts to battery storage

(Corrects number of winning companies to seven from eight) ** Seven companies have won four-year contracts to provide super-fast balancing services, called Enhanced Frequency Response, to Britain's electricity grid operator. ** Winners include battery storage firms, marking a first for the grid. ** A total of 201 megawatts was secured. ** Firms will respond within one second compared with traditional balancing response times of under 10 seconds. ** National Grid (LSE: NG.L - news) says using new technology will lead to 200 million pounds ($263.96 million) in savings over the life of the contracts. ** Bids were received from 37 providers ** Winning bidders to be named on Friday ($1 = 0.7577 pounds) (Reporting by Susanna Twidale; editing by Susan Thomas)