New research shows growth in energy storage projects
Published by Sarah Smith,
Assistant Editor
Energy Global,
RenewableUK has published new statistics which show that the number of applications to build battery storage projects in the UK is continuing to increase rapidly. Batteries play a key role in modern flexible energy systems, helping grid operators to finely balance the supply of electricity to meet demand, and providing extra power resources when needed.
RenewableUK's latest Project Intelligence report shows that the total cumulative capacity of battery storage planning applications has increased from nearly 6900 MW in 2018 to over 10 500 MW in 2019.
The market has developed rapidly. In 2012, applications stood at just 2 MW. The number of UK companies involved in the sector has grown in 2019 from 300 to more than 450 and the average battery project size has increased from 27 MW to 28 MW.
The pipeline of storage projects is expected to continue growing and an increasing number of grid-scale battery projects of over 50 MW are expected. This is after the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) agreed to change planning rules in ealry 2019 as they had previously deterred development at this scale.
The new figures were unveiled at an event in London, 'Energy Systems Storage 2019', organised by RenewableUK and the Solar Trade Association. Attendees heard that while lithium batteries make up the vast majority of the current projects, the next phase of growth will include a wide range of new technologies. Companies ranging from Siemens to Highview Power are developing hydrogen, ammonia and compressed air technologies. The report shows that the UK now has a pipeline of over 600 MW of compressed air or liquid air storage projects in development. Meanwhile Gravitricity are developing gravity-based storage and OXTO Energy are pioneering the use of flywheels in energy storage. In addition, RheEnergised are developing dense liquids as an alternative to pumped storage.
Read the article online at: https://www.energyglobal.com/energy-storage/03122019/new-research-shows-growth-in-energy-storage-projects/
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