Evolution

The rapid evolution of battery technology has changed everything . With the latest generation of storage being much cheaper to buy , streamlined , better looking and easy to operate with many featuring a ‘ plug , play , set and forget ’ mechanism .

No surprise then that according to a report by the Renewable Energy Agency ( REA ) and consultancy KPMG , the cost of battery storage technology has fallen so rapidly that within two years it will be cheap enough for households with existing rooftop solar systems .

A separate report by the Carbon Trust predicts that energy storage could deliver savings of up to £ 50 a year on an average consumer energy bill , and a system wide saving of up to £ 2.4bn a year by 2030 .

Even more , the report also indicates that energy storage adoption offers the ‘ least cost pathway ’ for the UK to meet CO2 reduction targets .

This , in turn , makes the argument for solar even more powerful . After all , there is evidence to prove that solar PV offers the highest potential of stored energy when using on a solar installation ; solar PV installed alongside storage battery could increase a systems self-consumption capabilities to 70 per cent , and reduce the amount of energy sent back to the grid by 50 per cent .

What ’ s more , the cost for a new solar PV system has decreased by more than 50 per cent in the last three years , making the payback periods even more inviting for householder to make the ‘ green switch ’.

Investment

The consensus then is that battery storage is , indeed , the future which , of course , offers an opportunity for the contractor to diversify into and reap the financial rewards . However , it is important to remember that it isn ’ t a simple process and investment in understanding the industry and training beforehand is a must .

For example , when selecting a battery storage system , it ’ s important to look at estimated daily energy consumption ( kWh ), peak load time for the building , how much solar PV can be or is already installed and the anticipated generation of the system . This means contractors can then calculate the correct battery capacity and whether a single or three phase supply set up is more appropriate . Space and location must also considered as this can impact on the way the battery packs are installed , ie . is there easy access for both installation and maintenance , and any safety implications ?

Another obstacle is that there are currently no regulations for battery storage in the UK . However , the IET ( Institution of Engineering & Technology ) is in the process of developing Codes of Practice for contractors – a move that Rexel UK strongly advocates , as it is vital for the industry to quickly establish best practice and a common language for the market as early on as possible .

While the industry works to establish a standardised framework , we would strongly recommend engineers work closely with responsible manufacturers and suppliers that have taken the time to understand the market , the technology and the safety implications behind the products . For example , at Rexel we are

working on the creation of a specification tool to assist selection and correct sizing of an energy battery storage system , ensuring the correct load demand and consumption has been taken into account .

With the government ’ s carbon reduction targets well under way and the cost of energy posing a huge financial strain for most households , more and more consumers are choosing to make the green switch – with battery storage core to this . However , before jumping on the battery storage bandwagon , it is vital for contractors to get trained up and do their research to ensure they are best placed to unleash the full potential this exceptional innovation has to offer .

Steve Everard ’ s career in distribution spans some 20 years , initially with a leading supplier of heating and plumbing materials in the south east , and more latterly in the electrical and energy solutions sector with Rexel UK . In 2004 , he joined WF Electrical as key accounts manager for contractors and installers , and went on to head a special projects team , during which time he managed numerous major contracts , including the supply of electrical materials for the 2012 Olympic Park construction . Later in this year , he joined Rexel UK ’ s Energy Solutions team , and was instrumental in setting up both the sales and operational side of the new business model , and establishing Rexel as a leading brand in the UK renewables sector . In early 2015 , he was appointed head of Rexel Energy Solutions , a division of Rexel UK .

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