Storing Renewable Energy In Homes and Communities; Future Opportunities and Challenges

The presentations are available to view at the bottom of this event webpage. 

Event Information

In 2016, one quarter of the electricity used in the UK was generated from renewable energy sources. This figure is likely to increase over the next decade with the impending phase out of coal. As variable energy sources become more prevalent, the delicate act of balancing supply with demand in real time becomes more and more difficult. Calm mid-winter weather coinciding with higher electricity demand and sunny mid-summer periods coinciding with lower demand are two examples that exemplify some of the challenges related to wind and solar energy. Energy storage is one solution that can help to improve some of the intermittency problems associated with renewable energy generation.

Storage of electricity is not a new idea. Pumped hydro facilities in Scotland have been used for several decades; however recent breakthroughs in battery technologies – linked to electric vehicles - have been said to be one of the most promising mechanisms to help balance supply and demand and promote the increased use of renewable energy resources.

This seminar will discuss the social implications of an emerging future energy system that combines renewables and storage. It will demonstrate how a renewable energy generation system supported by storage is in stark contrast with today’s centralised system of large-scale fossil-fuel and nuclear power stations with minimal, passive roles for households and communities. Storage is ‘hypersizeable’ meaning that it can be implemented at a range of scales ranging from micro to macro. We will discuss the prospects, opportunities and challenges involved in implementing micro (building level) and meso (neighbourhood or community level) storage with a focus upon themes including motives for adoption, social equity, energy literacy, post-installation practices and potential shifts in household demand.

The workshop will feature a range of guest speakers. The keynote presentation will be given by Professor Peta Ashworth, Chair in Energy Systems at the University of Queensland in Australia. Further contributions will come from citizen, practitioner and academic voices, including Fuad Al-Tawil (member of Exeter Community Energy, Secretary of Teign Energy Communities and someone with personal experience of household battery storage), Ray Arrell from Regen and Patrick Devine-Wright from the University of Exeter. Short presentations will be followed by a round table discussion with a question and answer session, followed by refreshments and networking.

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Please see the below presentation slides for information.