What is local energy storage?

Local energy storage can be applied to assist with voltage regulation (specifically voltage rise) in the presence of high levels of distributed generation. Energy storage may be used to absorb the active power injected by the local generation, reducing the amount exported into the supply network.

Where is energy storage research carried out?

Energy Storage research within the energy initiative is carried out across a number of departments and research groups at the University of Cambridge. There are also national hubs including the Energy Storage Research Network and the Faraday Institute with Cambridge leading on the battery degradation project.

What is energy storage?

Energy storage may be used to absorb the active power injected by the local generation, reducing the amount exported into the supply network. This energy storage may take the form of batteries as well as alternate energy storage such as hot water.

What is local energy storage (CES)?

Local CES refers to shared residential as well as shared energy storage in a localized community. The members have shared goals such as energy independence, resiliency, autonomy as well as energy security and self-govern and own the CES. Shared local energy storage is emerging in the energy landscape.

How do local energy storage facilities (batteries and reservoirs) affect investments?

From the point of view of the local energy storage facilities (batteries and reservoirs), the investments are strongly influenced by the role of the grid exchange and the degree of autonomy expected for the plants. The variable spatial location and capacity of plants may warrant significant economies of scale and variable capital costs.

Is the size of energy storage sufficient for voltage regulation?

Whilst effective in theory, most studies indicate that the size of the energy storage compared to the size of the distributed generation is not sufficient to be able to store enough energy to provide an effective voltage regulation response—typically, the energy storage fills before peak generation (and peak voltage rise).