UK needs storage to help balance its power system
UK needs eightfold rise in power storage capacity – Aurora
Developers call for incentives to kickstart investment in storage and balance intermittent renewables
The UK could need up to 24GW of long-duration energy storage (LDES), equivalent to eight times its current installed capacity, to integrate wind power into a secure net-zero electricity system, according to consultancy Aurora Energy Research. Aurora defines LDES as technologies such as pumped storage that can store electricity for four hours or more and supply firm, flexible and fast-responding power to the grid. Deployment of significant LDES capacity on the UK power system by 2030 could cut emissions by 10mn t/yr and reduce system costs by £1.13 bn/yr ($1.54bn/yr), or 2.5pc, Aurora says. LDES deployment could also reduce reliance on gas-fired generation by 50TWh/yr, it says. “The UK’s net-
Also in this section
19 December 2024
The utility-scale battery energy storage system market is evolving rapidly, with diverse offtake models emerging to offer bespoke, flexible contracting solutions
13 December 2024
Prices in world’s largest compliance market have risen this year but remain below those seen in the EU
11 December 2024
Policymakers need to step up with a long-term, global strategy if the energy transition is ever to be a success
11 December 2024
CCUS and other carbon management technologies are gaining traction around the world, but heightened policy risk and other pressures will make 2025 a challenging year in some regions
