May 2023
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This conference focused on next steps for energy storage in the UK.
It was a timely opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to discuss progress made so far, following the Government’s response to its call for evidence on Facilitating the deployment of large-scale and long-duration electricity storage, as well as priorities for supporting the development of LLES, including:
- the role of LLES in expanding the energy system, and the transition to low-carbon energy generation
- assessing the potential impact of regulatory and whole-system reform, and addressing calls for a regulatory definition of storage
- market opportunities, reducing barriers to entry, improving access to finance and supporting commercialisation
It also followed the publication of Powering Up Britain, the Government’s strategy to strengthen Britain's long-term energy security and independence to help deliver future clean energy.
Delegates discussed next steps for achieving the benefits of LLES and integrating it into the energy system in light of the Government’s Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan, which aims to remove barriers to the deployment of electricity storage at all scales and develop appropriate policy to support investment.
Further sessions examined potential pathways for increasing system flexibility, expanding storage capacity and supporting further renewable generation, as well as priorities for new storage technologies and overcoming barriers to innovation.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with Matt Aldridge, Head of Electricity Storage, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Dr Jonathan Radcliffe, Reader in Energy Systems and Innovation, University of Birmingham; Tom Kenyon-Brown, Head, Core Electricity Network Charging and LLES, Ofgem; and Julian Leslie, Head of Networks and Chief Engineer, National Grid ESO.
Overall, key areas for discussion included:
- expansion of the energy storage sector: priorities for growth and development - supporting business strategies - reducing network and regulatory barriers
- developing and supporting LLES: opportunities for commercialisation and innovation - the potential for boosting reserve capacity across the grid
- planning reform: next steps for reducing barriers to implementation - supporting high-capacity projects
- driving whole-system change: measures to enhance grid flexibility and connectivity - supporting decarbonisation - enabling smarter domestic and business energy management
- overcoming commercial barriers: reducing tech costs - improving durability and safety - attracting sector investment
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from DAERA, NI; DBT; Department for the Economy, NI; DESNZ; Department for Infrastructure, NI; DfT; Department of Finance, NI; DLUHC; DECC, ROI; GLA; GLD; HMRC; HSE; London Assembly; NIC; OBR; Office for Investment; POST; UKIB; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
