Storing renewable electricity

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are set to play a huge role in the country’s push for net zero, reducing the reliance on large fossil fuelled power stations by balancing energy requirements on the National Grid.

Battery storage 

As the UK is increasingly powered by renewable energy sources like wind and solar, we need large scale, flexible energy storage to ensure a steady stream of electricity whatever the weather. Because the wind isn’t always blowing, or the sun always shining, battery storage systems hold onto electricity that is generated on those windy and sunny days until we need it most. 

Domestic energy demand peaks at breakfast time and again in the evening. The energy stored in these large-scale batteries can be accessed during high demand or when renewable sources aren’t available, ensuring a reliable and steady power supply for everyone. At the moment, maintaining a steady and constant supply of electricity to the grid is largely achieved by burning carbon-intensive fossil fuels.

By developing battery energy storage systems (BESS) rather than burning fossil fuels to meet short term demand we avoid significant CO2 emissions, helping to make the energy grid more efficient and facilitate more renewable energy generation supporting the UKs drive to net zero. This also helps to improve our energy security, and reduces our dependence on fossil fuels which are vulnerable to the kinds of sudden price rises seen in recent years.

OnPath Energy BESS

OnPath Fithie Energy Park progress

Location: North of Dundee

Potential energy storage: Up to 1,4000MW. Enough to power the peak demands of over 1.6 million homes for 2 hours.

OnPath Pond Flexible Energy Park progress

Location: Southeast of Bathgate.

Potential energy storage: Up to 200MW, enough to meet the peak demands of 240,000 homes for two hours (or the average demands of 600,000).

OnPath Common Farm Solar Energy Park progress

Location: South Yorkshire.

Potential energy storage: A 50 MW battery storage facility will link directly into the Thurcroft electricity sub-station around three kilometres to the north of the site, which will help support the long-term security of energy supplies to UK consumers.

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