Battery storage exports ‘increased 600%’ between 2017-18

Battery storage exports to British energy markets increased by 600 per cent between 2017 and 2018, data from ElectraLink and the Renewable Energy Association (REA) has found.

Last year battery storage exports increased to almost 49GWh compared to 50MWh in 2014.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) exports also rose from 194GWh in 2012 to 8TWh in 2018.

The data, which was provided by ElectraLink’s energy market data hub (EMDH), forms part of the Flexible Futures report, which the REA and ElectraLink have collaborated on to draw a roadmap for the next decade in Britain’s energy landscape.

It also highlights the extent to which there is a growing proportion of power being exported to the distribution networks in Britain from variable sources.

In 2012 for example more than 60 per cent of exports were from more “dispatchable”, or weather-independent sources. However last year exports from these sources dropped to under 40 per cent.

This, the REA says, highlights the growing need for networks to procure flexibility and evolve into distribution system operators (DSOs).

Daniel Brown, policy manager at the REA, said: “We are pleased to be collaborating with ElectraLink to bring this crucial industry data to the public realm.

“Given industry discussions taking place presently about flexibility markets, subsidy-free renewables and energy storage deployment, and achieving net zero, we hope it will add timely nuance to the debate.”

Paul Linnane, ElectraLink’s head of energy market insight, said: “What we’ve found in the data is an unprecedented view of where embedded generation is going in contributing to the energy mix.

“An exponential increase like this cannot be ignored as networks plan for more solar PV to be connected, and especially with the uptake of electric vehicles.”