BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
Already providing an answer to one of the biggest challenges of renewable energy, its
intermittency, Battery energy storage solutions (BESS) will become even more
important in the future, as Aazzum Yassir, director of Technology & Operations at Pulse Clean Energy, explains
W
ithin the next six years, wind and solar renewable generation will surpass EU demand
in certain hours of the year. The ability to shift that power to where and when it’s most needed, through clean flexibility solutions, provides a significant opportunity, but it requires careful system planning now to fully capture the benefits. As the world faces increasing pressure to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change, battery energy storage solutions (BESS) provide the answer to one of the biggest challenges of renewable energy: its intermittency. These solutions help balance the grid when weather dependent generation – such as wind and solar – either exceeds or falls short of electricity demand. As renewable energy continues to surge, BESS will become even more crucial to maintaining grid stability. The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently
warned that if the world is to meet its 2030 climate targets, then global energy storage capacity will need to increase sixfold, with battery storage accounting for 90% of this growth. The UK is already moving in this direction, with battery storage capacity growing rapidly. Last year, the pipeline of battery projects increased by two- thirds in capacity, with operational battery storage capacity currently totalling 4.4 gigawatts. NESO (Transmission System Operator for UK) Clean Power 2030 outlines pathways to a heavily decarbonised power grid requiring 23-27 GW of BESS connected by 2030, that’s a 5-6x increase from current levels. At Pulse Clean Energy, we’re on a
journey to keep this momentum going, with over 150MWh of BESS into operation, 500MWh that’s currently in construction, and another 600MWh in late-stage development – which can be energised within 12-18 months.
THE IMPACT OF BESS ON THE MODERN GRID Batteries are a ready-to-deploy technology that can scale efficiently, offer cost benefits, and improve grid stability. If you’ve ever faced a power outage, you know how disruptive it can
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ENERGISING THE FUTURE WITH BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
“The
International Energy Agency (IEA)
recently warned that if the
world is to meet its 2030 climate targets, then global energy storage will need to increase sixfold, with battery storage accounting for 90% of this growth”
be – whether it’s in your home, at a business, or in a hospital, interruptions in electricity supply are more than just inconvenient. Battery storage systems help mitigate these risks by storing excess energy and releasing it when the grid faces a shortfall. By bridging the gap between energy production and consumption, BESS keep the lights on, even during periods of low renewable output. This flexibility also supports the integration of more renewable energy into the UK’s power grid while reducing reliance on expensive, polluting, fossil fuels. Without the growth of BESS, the UK will face challenges in generating and storing its own energy and will be
forced to depend on imports. However, by expanding BESS capacity, we can take advantage
of home-grown renewable energy,
reduce fossil dependence, avoid expensive energy imports, and ultimately protect consumers and businesses from increasing energy prices – the benefits are mutually reinforcing. At Pulse Clean Energy, our
Hirwaun facility has a peak output of 22 MW and storage of 49.5 MWh. By operating twice per day, it can power over 100,000 homes for over
ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Spring 2025 Aazzum Yassir two hours; and, over a 10-year period, help
to avoid 10,000 tons of CO2 (equivalent to displacing a similar sized gas plant for two years). It will therefore play a key role in securing clean energy supply for local communities, while also generating employment opportunities.
SHAPING THE GRID OF THE FUTURE The future of BESS is especially promising. As more renewable energy projects come online, BESS will become an even more vital component of the grid, smoothing out fluctuations in energy supply and demand. However, to fully grasp the potential of BESS, there are challenges to overcome. These include ensuring the necessary grid connectivity, planning permission, developing training programmes to ensure we have the right skills in our workforce, and addressing regulatory hurdles. Efforts are also underway to improve the efficiency, lifespan, and cost-effectiveness of battery technology. At Pulse Clean Energy, we believe collaboration
is key to realising this vision. Working closely with government bodies, industry stakeholders, and other innovators, we can continue to drive the progress needed to scale BESS technology. Whilst much has already been
achieved, there is still work to be done, and we must continue to push for further innovation, incentivisation, and support to unlock the real potential of BESS for the UK’s clean energy future.
Pulse Clean Energy
www.pulsecleanenergy.com
www.essmag.co.uk
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