An accumulation of battery storage and alternative technologies could help fill in the missing jigsaw piece towards renewable energy reliance and lower energy bills for the UK. You could simply compare energy storage towards that of a reservoir. Since it’s not pouring with rain every day we require the accumulation of rain water for times when were in need of water. Similarly with renewable power, it’s not that the UK isn’t always beaming with sunshine or experiencing optimum wind conditions in order to obtain renewable wind energy. It is in actual fact the intermittency of this form of energy. Hefty winds during the morning don’t concur with the peak demand of an evening. For this reason storing electricity to bridge the gap when it is most in demand is fundamental to any serious development in the renewable energy sector. Now you may be thinking how can it be so difficult to store electricity? On a small scale it is much more viable however on a large scale it becomes a more complex predicament. At present there are three pivotal aspects to consider amongst energy storage which is safety, cost and efficiency. Although there are several technologies attempting to stake their claim as the number one contender such as hydrogen compression and superconducting magnets, large batteries still remain at pole position as costs dwindle. Much like how solar photovoltaic panels were incredibly expensive towards their birth, costs have since fallen an unprecedented rates of approximately 40%. This is owing to a fall in manufacturing expenses, much like any technology advancement it is a learning curve. It is currently estimated that the UK’s national grid squanders £1bn annually in counterbalancing the grid. Electricity storage is inevitably a lower cost option than possessing a large power station which would possibly lay dormant for a majority of the year only to come into operation during the cold winter months. Currently Great Britain’s largest £18m battery supported energy storage set up is located in Leighton Buzzard. The objective is to demonstrate how 6MW of lithium ion storage can be distributed  through the network to assist in the secure future of supply. Through implementing this project it’s possible for us to see how energy storage could be made into a more effective substitute in UK policy. One question we should ask ourselves is are lithium ion batteries the best material to be using in terms of cost, performance and shelf life? Energy storage and electric heating Using electric radiators as a smart alternative for storage heaters and gas central heating system is an ever increasingly popular choice for many UK residents. With low installation and energy efficient technology electric radiators have surged in popularity over recent years. Whats more is with energy storage tipped for 2016 to be a groundbreaking year energy electric heating is beyond doubt the future towards how we heat our properties not only in Great Britain but globally. Since their power source is electricity it is possible that they can operate from carbon free generated energy, which in turn reduces our carbon emissions. The aspiring addition is that through utilising heating products that are so efficient such as the Slimpro electric wall mounted radiator the demand for electricity is decreased, this can only be a more advantageous practice for our planet and of course not forgetting our purse strings too. With a home battery storage system it is possibly a more practical approach in harnessing renewable electricity via solar panels and utilising the energy when we require it which would consequently create a carbon free off grid electric heating system. Current energy storage technology Compressed air energy storage Superfluous off peak energy is employed to compress the air 700 times of its normal value into a cold liquid which is directly pumped towards an underground cavity storage system and released into a high pressure gas suitable for generating electricity via a turbine. Once the electricity is required the stored high pressure gas is dispatched through the turbine and the electricity produced is transported into the grid. Then benefit of this system is that there are no dependance on location or surroundings and could possibly be situated almost anywhere. Hydroelectric pumped storage Surplus off peak power is utilised to transport water from a low level reservoir up to a higher situated reservoir which can often be located up a mountain. At the time of peak demand the previously transported water is dispatched into the lower situated reservoir. When the water is released is is transmuted through turbines in order to harness the previously stored energy. Once the turbines have transferred the electricity this is transported back into the national grid. The only downside to this technology is the heavy dependancy towards topographical attributes and the efficiency between transferring the stored energy into electricity. Electrical energy storage Electric energy storage makes use of an electric field to store it’s energy. Superconducting magnetic energy storage is a comparatively new technology which stockpiles electricity from the grid inside a magnetic field which is generated through the motion of current within a coil. Once required the stored energy can be released back into the network by ejecting the coil. The immense benefit to this technology is that it constitutes for approximately just 3 percent energy loss making it the most efficient current energy storage system. Home battery system This technology as you may of already guessed evolves around a home power storage battery. At the cost of £2,000 per household the holdall sized battery is capable of stock piling excess energy from solar photovoltaic panels. Moreover with this device it is possible to earn money from your properties battery through being available amongst a network of home batteries. The concept is that home battery storage could potentially be a larger and quicker technique compared to the prolonged duration of planning permission for energy storage sites. While in theory it’s a simple and great idea the downside to this is the cost and lifespan of lithium ion batteries. Nevertheless like most technology costs continue to decrease, they additionally posses a stable record in current electronic devices. However a highly regarded vanadium battery could cast a shadow over Lithium batteries. Firstly the cost is a fraction to that of lithium, vanadium based energy storage can potentially run for ever owing to the low cost rechargeable electrolyte which can on no occasion run out due to the category of chemical reaction implicated. All of this could position vanadium as a serious contender over the more commonly favoured lithium batteries. Which ever technology direction energy storage proceeds it for certain that low cost green electricity is only a step around the corner. My Electric Radiators are passionate about reporting to you the latest energy news and views right across the UK. They also supply the latest economy electric heating systems that are designed to help save you money. Moreover my electric radiators are devoted to helping UK households reduce their carbon footprints and decrease their energy bills. to find out more surrounding the latest economy electric radiators then call one of their electric heating experts today for a free assessment on 01423 619303 lines are open from 8am - 10pm. Alternatively if you would prefer to email your architectural drawings so that a recommended heating plan can be designed don’t hesitate to email [email protected]