In the light of the development of renewables and distributed generation, electricity storage has recently gained political attention as a way to reduce carbon emissions, enhance security of supply through improving grid stability, and control the fluctuations of variable resources. Storage technologies (be they centralised or decentralised) are likely to play a key role in the integration of variable renewable generation and in the emergence of smart grids.
Against this background, the aim of this half-day workshop was to discuss electricity storage from a policy-making, industrial and research point of view.
A first session focused on the role of small-scale energy storage and the services and applications it brings to the electrical system to meet future needs. What progress has been made in the last years and what are the perspectives in terms of technological developments? What will be the impact of storage systems on the distribution grid and what are the implications for the business of DSOs and market players?
A second session was dedicated to hydro and pumped storage. It assessed the flexibility capabilities of pumped storage, reviewed its untapped potential in Europe and looked at the main regulatory challenges which are currently hampering an optimal operation of pumped storage.