MPs encouraged to unlock potential of electricity storage

Dr Grunewald, Deputy Director of Energy Research at the University of Oxford has co-written the ICE “Electricity Storage: Realising the Potential” report. He told the Committee of MP’s that electricity storage was an essential system for Britain’s energy infrastructure. The system would allow different parts of the network to work together to achieve energy security. Dr Grunewald did however warn that “outdated regulation and a lack of market signals are hampering innovation solutions.” The recommendation was made to change the Feed In Tariff. He said:

"Photovoltaic electricity is currently exported into the grid regardless of whether the electricity is needed at the time. A tariff that rewards export at times when electricity is most valuable to the system will send the right market signal to encourage uptake of storage and reduce the cost of balancing the system."

"I'm delighted to have had the opportunity to present ICE's recommendations on electricity storage to the committee. Our report sought to help policy makers from across the political spectrum understand both the complexities and opportunities that storage technologies can offer to Britain's decarbonisation programme. Both ICE and I will continue to work closely with members of the ECC Committee, DECC and Ofgem in paving the way to a more secure, affordable and greener energy system."