The UK government should redesign its capacity market to incentivise energy storage and demand side response technology that could make the electricity grid cleaner, more flexible and secure, according to an Energy and Climate Change Committee report.
The committee’s final report – ‘The energy revolution and future challenges for UK energy and climate change policy’ – said the government needs to “move quickly on addressing regulatory barriers faced by energy storage”.
It said there must be a clear definition for storage, an end to double-charging, and a separate asset class for grid-level electricity storage established.
The committee also recommended that the government sets out a high-level public commitment to making the UK a world-leader in storage and sets a storage procurement target for 2020.
The government should also consider a possible subsidy framework for energy storage to accelerate deployment, the committee said.
Committee chair Angus MacNeil MP (pictured) said: “The government must get a move on and encourage the energy market to embrace smart technological solutions like energy storage and demand side response.
“There is an incredible opportunity for the UK to become a world leader in these disruptive technologies.
“Yet our current energy security subsidies favour dirty diesel generation over smart new clean tech solutions.”
Renewable Energy Association chief executive Nina Skorupska said: “In the interests of continued investment, energy security and the best deal for consumers we urge the government to take action to resolve the policy barriers to the deployment of energy storage and demand side response identified by this report.”
The committee will be disbanded on 17 October.
Image: Parliament TV
‘Urgent action’ crucial on storage
UK ministers should redesign capacity market to help say MPs
By EBS