Large Scale Energy Storage

Grid scale energy storage is currently accomplished using pumped hydro – such  as Cruachan.  The UK has 3GW with another 1 GW in plan.  This needs to be compared with an average electricity consumption across the UK of 44GW.  If intermittent renewables, such as wind and solar, replace much of the fossil fuel generators then we’ll need a lot more storage, possibly going from 3GW to 30GW – which is a tenfold increase.  There is no prospect of finding sufficient hydro to achieve this in the UK.  And the UK is much better equipped for pumped hydro than most other countries.

Batteries are too expensive by an order of magnitude – and the sheer quantity required for this type of facility is literally mind boggling.

Another solution is required.  Prof. Rampen will discuss his approach to storing large amounts of energy in safe, local facilities that can be sited next to electrical sub-stations.