A policy paper calling for regulatory changes to allow a faster transition into renewable battery energy storage has been released by leading European associations.
The paper states that without a legal definition of what energy storage is at a EU level growth in the European energy storage market will be stunted.
The paper was released by Eurobat (the Association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers), SolarPower Europe and the European Heat Pump Association on their websites.
The paper also outlines a need for clearer policies on providing storage at grid level, a framework to encourage domestic storage and R&D on how to unlock storage’s potential when paired with renewable energy sources.
By 2025 22 member states of the EU will have a renewable energy penetration of at least 50%, according to ENTSO-E (European Network of Transmission System Operators) research.
Yet despite the obvious need for storing this energy, as yet there is no commonly agreed legal definition, and the European Electricity Directive fails to mention storage at all.
The use of batteries and flywheels in combination with solar cells in smaller-scale storage is a growing phenomenon, where for years, hydro storage installations have provided central storage.
“Storage allows for households to consume more of the solar power they produce. But solar and storage together also provide wider system benefits as storage technologies allow for the best use of cheap solar electricity when it is available, ” said policy director of SolarPower Europe Alexandre Roesch.
Back in January BBB reported how the UK Energy Storage Network’s annual symposium called for clarification on what ‘storage’ meant to ensure utility firms embrace energy storage.
