Scottish Renewables seeks new body to assess electricity storage technology potential

Scottish Renewables will call for a new body to assess hydro electric pumped storage potential aimed to unlock £1bn of investment and provide a massive boost to UK energy security.

The UK and Scottish Governments have been advised by Scottish Renewables to join forces intended to advance the electricity storage technology capable of operating on a commercial scale.

Pumped Storage, which cab effectively act like a giant battery, could play a key role in enhancing energy security.

Although there are already initial plans for new and upgraded Pumped Storage schemes investment in Scotland, the Pumped Storage is not recognized within the UK Government’s new Electricity Market Reform (EMR) framework.

Scottish Renewables senior policy manager Joss Blamire said that the new generation Pumped Storage could play a major role in helping deliver a secure energy system for the UK and will also provide a number of other environmental and economic benefits.

"This tried and tested energy storage technology can also help facilitate our transition to a low-carbon future, ensuring that renewable energy can be stored when it is generated and used as required," Blamire added.

"That is why the renewables industry is calling on UK and Scottish Governments to establish an inter-governmental panel to consider how this technology should be supported for the benefit of the our energy security, environment and the consumer."

Scottish Renewables will release a position paper on Hydro Electric Pumped Storage at their Hydro Conference in Perth.

The paper will call on the UK and Scottish Governments to launch an inter-governmental panel to examine the energy storage technology for strengthening the UK’s energy security.