The UK (mostly Scotland) has ‘multiple gigawatts’ of renewable energy storage projects pumped-up and primed to proceed – but are stalled pending ‘a better (UK) government policy framework’. New data released by the Renewable Energy Association reveals the extent of energy storage deployment and the industry’s future growth in the UK. There are 35 standalone grid-connected projects operating, spanning technologies from lithium-ion batteries (such as those used in mobile phones or electric vehicles) to pumped hydro systems (where water is stored in a reservoir and released through turbines when electricity demand peaks). At least 1,500 smaller, residential-scale projects are also recorded. The cumulative electricity storage capacity operating in the UK is currently 3.23-GW. At least 453 MW of energy storage capacity has been announced as under construction or being commissioned, in addition to the 200 MW of “enhanced frequency response” storage that was contracted by National Grid last month.
Scottish Energy News 6th Oct 2016 read more »