Electricity storage system
29 September 2021
The rapid growth in the total power capacity of green energy facilities (it was tripled in 2019-2020, and was reached 9 GW by mid-2021) also has a hidden side. Ensuring the safe and predictable functioning of the power system threaten with the unstable generation of electricity from alternative energy facilities becomes a major problem. Based on international experience, the energy storage can become an alternative to thermal power plants, which are used as handy capacities in Ukraine.
Goal – to introduce the energy storage within the legal framework
Up to date, various electric energy storage systems run in Ukraine while the main capacities are accounted for by pumped storage stations. For public discussion, the Ministry of Energy has developed and issued a draft bill, the main task of which is to introduce incentive mechanisms for the implementation of energy storage and storage systems.
In order to address the development of the electricity generation system, the bill provides for:
- Introduce within the legal framework a new participant on energy market as an operator of energy storage system, and specify legislatively his rights and responsibilities
- Bring under regulatory oversight the procedure of granting licenses for energy storage activities. It is assumed that the distribution of quotas will be carried out on a competitive basis
- Set up the operating procedure for energy saving systems
- Outline the procedure for public and private partnership, as well as measures aimed at sustention the development of energy storage systems like support in allocation of land areas, the fixing of competitive service fees, the provision of assistance from state and local resources.
The implementation of the bill will contribute to the development, first of all, of systems that use batteries for the accumulation of electric energy. Compared to pumped storage stations, they have a significantly higher efficiency. The operation of batteries allows you to instantly regulate the network frequency ensuring the stability of electric energy parameters, as well as reducing the role of thermal power plants, thereby contributing to decarbonization of the country’s energy system.