Zero Carbon Home Project Tests Energy Storage
Plans to allow renewable energy technologies, such as solar panels and heat pumps, to integrate seamlessly into the grid are to take a step forward today with the trial of a new electricity storage system.
Three electricity storage units, manufactured by S&C Electric, have been installed as part of a “zero carbon homes” project in Slough. The 10 zero carbon homes, could only use electricity produced by the solar panels when the sun is shining, leaving the homes reliant on power from the grid.
The new lithium batteries aim to ensure the power generated by the solar panels can flow as and when needed, with the technology integrating with the grid via S&C’s Pure Wave Community Energy Storage System.
The pilot aims to find out if it is cheaper to install energy storage technology, than to replace transmission cables, with the project proving the first to be funded by the LCN that places batteries close to customers’ homes, rather than at the point of use or at a substation.
The project also aims to find out if energy storage can be used for voltage support – by allowing greater flexibility in the grid as greater amounts of intermittent renewables come online.
The first results of the trial are expected to be unveiled in the first quarter of 2013, with a final report early next year.
If you want to know more about this and other topics directly from end users of energy storage technologies join us at one of these annual events: The Energy Storage World Forum (Grid Scale Applications), or The Residential Energy Storage Forum, or one of our Training Courses.
