The UK holds an electricity capacity auction at the end of every year. It publishes its future energy needs and invites offers to fulfil them. Unlike regular auctions though, the award goes to the lowest bid, or bids. In December 2016, renewable energy storage projects grabbed 6% of the action. This is definitely moving the future with batteries in the right direction.
The only thing standing in the way of renewable power is our ability to store it temporarily for future use. To rely on wind and solar, we must capture it in daytime for later use. That is when the winds blow stronger and there is sunshine. As an aside, winds speeds diminish at night when warm air stops rising.
Britain’s Commitment to a Brighter Future with Batteries
The UK government awarded 500 megawatts of battery storage at the 2016 auction. This will come on line in four years’ time.
This is half the capacity of a British Energy nuclear generator (or a third of a future 1,600 MW Hinkley Point C unit). See the table courtesy of the UK government.
The battery plants will come on line at various strategic points, and become an integral part of the national grid. This is a bold step forward for an exciting future with batteries. Because it is the first time that low carbon batteries will play a role in balancing the UK grid. The potential is impressive.
A Worked Example: Roosecote in Cumbria
The 50,000 homes in Roosecote, Cumbria are on a relatively isolated peninsula towards the end of a transmission line. Although there are plans to build a 50-megawatt gas generator, this will take some time to come to fruition.
The residents can sleep easier since the electricity capacity auction, when Centrica energy providers obtained authority to build a 49-megawatt battery storage farm nearby. Now they can look forward to a brighter future with batteries, without the worry of a potentially polluting plant nearby.
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Preview Image: Golden Sunrise
