Electricity Storage And System Services In Ireland

The Government is consulting on an Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland, as envisaged under the Climate Action Plan. The closing date for responses is 27 January 2023.

The Consultation Paper notes that in the SEM there is approximately 500MW rated capacity of batteries which provide system services. Although it may be possible for grid-scale batteries to store enough electricity to cope with peaks in demand, they are not yet a solution for monthly or seasonal fluctuations. Ireland also has pumped hydro storage with a storage capacity of 1.7 GWh.

Responses are invited in relation to the role of energy storage, barriers to development, and required regulatory and policy measures. Questions also address technologies to be deployed in Ireland, the relationship between storage and demand-side response, the role of hydrogen as a medium for electricity storage up to 2050, the role of thermal storage, and the policy and market arrangements that would support