More energy storage is needed to ensure consistent power supply at times of insufficient wind or solar energy and reduce the risk of outages, according to a new study.
The Irish Energy Storage Association says the expert report shows that longer duration storage can contribute to solving problems caused when wind output is too low and there is little solar power available.
"The Missing Link - the Value of Energy Storage in an All-Island Market" was launched today by Minister of State and Green Party TD Malcolm Noonan.
It was carried out by Swedish-based engineering consultancy AFRY on behalf of the Irish Energy Storage Association.
Key points of the report are that energy storage is needed to provide power when there is insufficient wind and/or solar power and, equally, absorb power when there is an excess of wind/solar which would otherwise be wasted.
Weather conditions across the island of Ireland mean wind output is either very high or very low for about half of the year, with periods of high or low wind lasting a little under 20 hours on average.
However, longer duration storage can contribute to solving this problem. For instance, batteries can provide six hours or more of back-up with green hydrogen storage covering days or even weeks.
This would provide security of supply while replacing fossil fuel standby plant. Storage would also alleviate grid congestion by using strategically located energy storage plants, allowing additional wind and solar to be connected without having to build new transmission lines.
"People know about the need for more wind and solar generation to decarbonise our electricity supply, but many are not aware of the crucial role of energy storage to allow this to happen," Paddy Phelan, president of the IESA, said.
"Energy storage is vital to provide a low emissions source of firm back-up capacity to ensure security of power supply. It also ensures stability of the grid by being able to inject or absorb hundreds of mega-watts of power in a fraction of a second."
Minister Noonan said the report comes at a crucial time for Ireland as we move to decarbonise our economy, energy and transport systems and how we heat buildings and our homes. "This is a whole of society challenge but also a great opportunity for the country and innovation in the storage of generated renewable energy will add to the robustness of our energy security and independence."
Key points of the report are that energy storage is needed to provide power when there is insufficient wind or solar power and, equally, absorb power when there is an excess of wind or solar which would otherwise be wasted.
It says that batteries can provide six hours or more of back-up with green hydrogen storage covering days or even weeks. "This will provide security of supply while replacing fossil fuel standby plant. Storage will also alleviate grid congestion by using strategically located energy storage plants, allowing additional wind and solar to be connected without having to build new transmission lines," the IESA said.
Board member Frank Burke said there is a need for 1,900MW of additional energy storage in this country and this would result in net savings of €34 million per year.
Energy storage can reduce the amount of wasted renewable electricity by almost 800GWh annually, he said, "enough to power all of the private households in Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and Drogheda combined", he continued.
