Energy storage is the capturing and holding of energy in reserve for later use. Energy storage solutions for electricity generation include pumped-hydro storage, batteries, flywheels, compressed-air energy storage, hydrogen storage and thermal energy storage components.
Mechanical method The mechanical ES method is used to store energy across long distances. Compressed air energy storage (CAES) and pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) are the most modern techniques. To store power, mechanical ES bridles movement or gravity.
Planning law in the UK has been changed to allow energy storage projects over 50MW to come on line without going through the national planning process. This could pave the way for a major expansion of battery storage facilities across our towns and cities, to support green energy use in new builds and to balance our energy demand.
The changes to planning legislation for larger energy storage projects were first announced back in October 2019 to allow planning applications to be determined without going through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) process.
It means that most electricity storage projects, with the exception of pumped hydro schemes, can be determined through the Town and Country Planning Act, by local planning authorities. In effect this means that planning applications for projects over 50MW should, theoretically, be decided in between eight and 13 weeks depending on their size.
Major companies developing UK energy storage projects include EDF, Pivot Power, Statera, and RES. Each company is active in several power supply and flexibility markets, providing services to National Grid, Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), and operating in the wholesale energy markets.