Written Evidence: Role of batteries and fuel cells in achieving Net Zero - Dr Chun Sing Lai

This evidence and the recommendations are based primarily upon findings derived from research activities conducted for Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Standard Research Project EP/022049/1. The research project was focussed on utility-scale energy storage for low carbon electricity generation. The findings and recommendations by Dr Chun Sing Lai (Brunel University London) and Professor Giorgio Locatelli (University of Leeds) are highly relevant to the call for evidence. 

Executive Summary 

• Recommendation 1: Energy policy schemes should be enacted to support and protect the planning, development and operations of energy storage in related markets, in particular utility-scale energy storage in combination of low carbon electricity generation1 incentives. 
• Recommendation 2: Generation Integrated Energy Storage (GIES) systems2 have been demonstrated as technically and economically viable energy storage options in achieving net zero. On that basis, GIES systems can be considered for storage of thermal and mechanical energy produced by solar and wind power.
• Recommendation 3: Price floor mechanisms as applied for carbon trading3 can also enhance energy storage economic viability and reduce electricity market volatility. Upfront subsidies required to meet the high upfront costs and long lifetimes of energy storage is needed with regard to currently expensive battery technologies. 
• Recommendation 4: From a long-term (i.e., 5 to 20 years) perspective, mathematical models can be developed to analyse the technical and economic impacts on the wider energy system in terms of extensive installation of large-scale batteries. 

Read the full written evidence here.  

March 2021