Why is vanadium a problem?

However, as the grid becomes increasingly dominated by renewables, more and more flow batteries will be needed to provide long-duration storage. Demand for vanadium will grow, and that will be a problem. “Vanadium is found around the world but in dilute amounts, and extracting it is difficult,” says Rodby.

What will a battery plant do for Ireland?

The battery plant will add storage capacity to the ESB grid, providing what's known as 'grid stability" (the capacity to instantly add power to cover drops from other sources or surges in demand) and deliver more renewable capacity to Ireland's electricity system.

Can energy storage be deployed in Ireland?

Appropriate and timely regulatory and market design is therefore essential to allow the deployment of energy storage in Ireland at the scale required to achieve current environmental policy objectives. However, the current policy framework is unsuitable to deliver the volumes and types of energy storage we will require.

What storage technologies are needed in Ireland?

Currently the two key storage technologies in Ireland are short duration battery storage and pumped storage hydro. Both are established technologies and batteries especially are modular and have short build times. However, the future system may need additional storage technologies to encourage an optimal generation mix.

What is energy storage Ireland?

Energy Storage Ireland is a newly established representative body composed of industry members who are active in the development of the energy storage market in Ireland.

Why are Ireland's storage assets'stuck' in planning & grid development processes?

There are significant delays in the planning permission and grid development processes in Ireland. This is significantly impacting the deliverability of projects as they get ‘stuck’ in processes. Currently storage assets in Ireland earn on average 80% of their revenues from the System Services market.