Knowledge: Energy Storage
“Remove barriers for energy storage”
solar industry asks Government Japanese energy storage project to
use saltwater battery technology
Responding to Ofgem’s call for evidence
on A Smart, Flexible Energy System,
which closed last month, the Solar Trade
Association (STA) has called on the
Government to remove all barriers to
deployment of energy storage.
Following substantial recent reductions in
costs associated with storage – especially
lithium-ion batteries – the industry are
ready now to deliver smarter alternatives
for a clean energy system that will save
money for the consumer.
Research conducted by independent
analysts Aurora Energy Research,
commissioned by the STA, has shown
that batteries work particularly well with
variable generation, such as solar. The
research, published last year, showed that
a high deployment of solar in our future
energy system would come with only
modest integration costs associated with
its variable output. However, the addition
of storage removes this cost and in its
place delivers a net economic benefit. By
enabling the provision of cheap, clean,
energy for longer periods of the day there
would be downward pressure on prices
for the consumer, and reduce the need for
other more expensive forms of generation.
Leonie Greene, STA Head of External
Affairs, commented: “Solar power has
turned the grid on its head, it provides
unique op portunities for energy
consumers of all types to take control of
their bills and produce their own energy,
sitting at the heart of a smart, flexible
energy system. Storage has a multiplier
effect for renewable energy: whether
it’s helping a homeowner get the most
efficient use of their solar panels, or a
solar farm match its output with demand,
storage will benefit the whole system.”
In the call for evidence, Ofgem and
BEIS identified a number of barriers to
storage deployment, many of which the
STA highlighted in their recent report
Solar + Storage = Opportunities. Of
particular importance is the lack of a
regulatory definition for storage, leading Schneider Electric, the global specialist
in energy management and automation,
and Aquion Energy, the world’s leading
provider of saltwater batteries and energy
storage solutions, have partnered with
Japan’s RE-ENERGY Co., Ltd., and EIWAT
Solar Co. to supply Kyushu Electric, one
of Japan’s largest and most prestigious
electric power companies, with power
generated from an environmentally
friendly, scalable, modular solar power and
storage system in Kagoshima Prefecture.
The “EIWAT Storage I” project will feature
Schneider Electric’s Conext XW+ controller,
a hybrid inverter that provides power
conditioners for both solar power and
storage capabilities in a single unit. The
Conext XW+ is an adaptable single-phase
and three-phase hybrid inverter with grid-
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Top: UK Power Networks battery testing facility at Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
to problems in treatment under current
market rules such as double charging on
energy consumption levies. The STA is also
calling for stronger standards to support
consumer confidence at the domestic
level. It is essential that there are minimum
standards to ensure storage systems are
installed with good components and in
a way that is safe and effective. The STA
welcomed BEIS and Ofgem’s leadership on
barrier removal, stressing that action must
be taken as a matter of urgency.
The STA, however, also highlighted other
steps that must be taken if the full benefits
of storage are to be realised. Importantly,
Ofgem’s current review of the charges
paid for use of the distribution network is
dampening the price signals that storage
developers depend upon to profitably shift
energy during times of high demand. This
will reduce the business case for providers
of new flexible solutions such as storage, to
the benefit of large, centralised generators.
This is in direct conflict with the smart
energy transition. This clear contradiction
was barely mentioned in the call for
evidence, and the STA has urged BEIS and
Ofgem to intervene. The STA also does not
believe that distribution network operators
are sufficiently incentivised to purchase
storage and other flexible solutions when
balancing or reinforcing their networks.
Nick Wood, STA Policy Analyst,
commented: “This is an exciting call for
evidence and a step in the right direction.
However we do not believe that network
operators are sufficiently empowered
to take up the ‘system operator’ roles
envisioned in the document, and the day
to day experience of our members on
the networks can be frustrating. We need
more open markets for flexibility services
at distribution level, stronger buy-in from
network operators and stronger direction
from government in implementing these.
Then we’ll start to see the benefits of a
smart system.”
The Government has signalled their
intent, with this call for evidence, to
revolutionise the network. The National
Infrastructure Commission predicts that
a flexible, smart network could deliver
consumer benefits to the tune of £8bn a
year by 2030. If the Government is going
to hit their targets, and deliver these
consumer benefits, it is essential that they
swiftly overcome the barriers to greater
amounts of storage.
tie functionality and dual AC power inputs.
Power generated from the solar array
will be stored in Aquion’s Aspen 48M-25.9
battery, an advanced saltwater storage
battery that is safe, environmentally
friendly, efficient and highly scalable.
Based on Aquion’s sustainable Aqueous
Hybrid Ion (AHI) technology, the battery
is engineered to meet Cradle to Cradle
certification standards.
It is the only battery in the world to have
achieved this certification and is designed
for hassle-free, long duration operation in
stationary, deep cycling applications.
“We are delighted to partner with
Schneider Electric, EIWAT and RE-ENERGY
on this exciting project, which represents
our largest deal to date and the first in
Japan,” said Scott Pearson, Chief Executive
Officer, Aquion Energy. “As more utilities
and renewable energy developers around
the world search for a safe and truly
renewable alternative to lithium-ion
storage solutions, we see an increasingly
significant opportunity for continued
expansion into global markets for our
Aspen battery series.”
By establishing EIWAT Storage I as a
model case, EIWAT, Schneider Electric,
and RE-ENERGY will be able to swiftly
construct a solar power system that utilizes
advanced Aquion Energy Aspen batteries,
demand for which is expected to increase
in the future.
This system can be applied to public
facilities and datacenters because Aquion
AHI batteries are completely non-
flammable and non-explosive.
CCL Components sign UK
distribution agreement Rise predicted for
green investment
sonnen GmbH, market leader for residential
battery storage in Europe, is expanding its
reach in the UK and have partnered with
CCL Components Ltd, one of the largest
distributors of solar and storage solutions
for private and commercial customers.
CCL and sonnen are offering the latest and
most proven storage technology to enable
homeowners and businesses to use their
solar electricity day and night, whilst also
enabling them to change the way that
they manage and control their energy. CCL
have specialised in offering full technical
support in the Grid-Tied and Off-Grid
Markets for many years and continue to
offer solutions to minimize energy costs
and enable system owners to contribute t o
the protection of the environment.
“The UK has been through a rough time
over the past year in the solar market.
At CCL we have been providing energy
storage solutions since the company was
formed in 1997. Our new partnership with
sonnen will provide our customers with a
perfect energy storage solution which is Research from Renewable Energy Waste
Solutions (REWS) reveals 71 per cent of
institutional investors and IFAs expect the
amount invested in renewables to increase
over the next three years. Some 17 per cent
anticipate the value invested during this
time will ‘increase dramatically’, and only
eight per cent anticipate a decline here.
Longer term, exposure to renewables
from investors will be even stronger.
Between now and 2022, 75 per cent of
investors interviewed expect the amount
invested to increase, with 23 per cent
anticipating a dramatic rise.
When asked the reason why they
expect investors to choose renewables,
44 per cent said the political and social
environment is becoming even more
supportive, followed by 27 per cent who
said as an asset class renewables has low
correlation with other investments, 13
per cent said it was because they have
an increasingly strong and proven track
record, and 12 per cent said it was because
they currently offer attractive returns.
expandable over time depending on the
customer’s budget or energy requirements.
We believe this is a perfect solution
for the UK domestic market and some
smaller scale commercial applications. The
sonnenBatterie system can be retrofitted
to existing installations or added to new
installs, and sized to suit the needs of
individual homes,” commented Paul Brooks
– Director at CCL Components Ltd.
Martin Allman, sonnen’s UK Country
Director, said: “We are investing heavily in
the emerging UK battery storage market
and are delighted to be working with CCL
as our first UK distributor. CCL’s extensive
experience in offering battery storage
solutions makes them an ideal partner as
we develop our position as the market
leaders in behind-the-meter energy
storage solutions. With a comprehensive
stock holding and next day delivery
service. CCL are able to provide a first-class
service to the rapidly growing number of
sonnenBatterie installers throughout the
UK.”
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