E.ON UK is researching and developing a battery that will be able to store energy, in a move that could unlock the full potential of renewable energy and microgeneration.
The battery, which is being researched and tested by E.ON’s Technology Centre in Nottingham, will store energy generated from wind farms and distributed microgeneration such as solar panels. The energy would be stored when it is not needed by customers – meaning it could be used when demand is high.
A prototype is currently being developed that aims to store 1MW of electricity for four hours – equivalent to 10 million AA batteries – and is the same size as four articulated lorry containers.
Bob Taylor, managing director of energy wholesale and technology at E.ON UK, said: Green power is only generated from wind farms when the wind blows and that might not be when the power’s needed by customers. By researching and developing this battery we can store the power generated by wind farms any time and then use it when our customers need it the most.
Mr Taylor added: The storage system will also help the development of localized generation – for example, a school with solar panels can store the power generated at weekends and use it when the kids are back in school.