Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
127. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department is investigating the use of new technology which has been developed for energy storage capacity on farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10858/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has seen tremendous progress in terms of the deployment of electricity storage in recent years and it is already playing an important role in supporting Ireland’s energy transition, with more than 700MW of battery storage and 292MW of pumped hydro storage (Turlough Hill) active on the system at the end of 2023.
A policy framework for electricity storage is currently under development within the department and is due for publication in Q2 this year. The policy will highlight the fact that to meet Ireland’s Climate Action Plan targets in the transition to renewable energy, electricity storage systems will be essential to provide a range of services, which include helping stabilise the grid as the level of renewable penetration increases and helping to balance the grid during periods of high demand.
To deliver on these services, electricity storage systems of varying technologies, capacities and durations will be required. As such, the policy will take a technology agnostic approach to existing and emerging storage projects. This approach will ensure the policy acts as a neutral facilitator for all storage technologies, encouraging developers to independently assess electricity storage product types based solely on their capacity to best deliver the as required service in terms of security of supply, affordability, and decarbonisation objectives. The policy will incentivise the development of storage products capable of beneficial integration into the grid and ensures that efficient storage technologies are in place to provide the required service.
