Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
84. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if new electricity storage technologies are being considered as an alternative to lithium battery systems; if the potential for new technologies which may have less safety concerns will be given priority for future projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34060/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government intentionally follows a ‘Technology neutral’ approach to electricity storage systems. This means that this Government neither favours nor discourages one technology over another.
The Government believes that in order to achieve Ireland’s electricity transition to renewable energy, electricity storage systems will be required to provide services of differing speeds, durations, emission limits etc. This Government also recognises that electricity storage systems have many types and varied roles. While the types of electricity storage technologies available and their individual uses is a broad area, it is clear that at present no one technology is successful in all roles.
It is believed that a balanced portfolio of technologies, including storage technologies of various durations, will be required to support the transformation of the electricity system as the level of renewable penetration increases, and rather than limiting any future procurement processes to specific electricity storage technology types, the Government promotes the incorporation of electricity storage technology, through technology neutral market products, depending on their capability to meet the requirements and service characteristics of the System Operators and the regulatory requirements of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
In this way, the Government supports the potential for industry to develop a portfolio of electricity storage technologies capable of being incorporated into the grid system, based on system needs and the capacity to meet established minimal grid requirements, as well as technical standard thresholds, emission targets and lower costs to the bill payer.
