Energy storage and solar – a lawyer’s perspective
With the explosive growth of solar power in the last decade in the UK, energy storage is the next obvious addition to solar plants.
In fact, we are seeing a significant rise in energy storage being either retrofitted to, or developed with new-build, renewables projects. A recent example of this is the Vattenfall announcement that it is to press ahead with a multi-megawatt battery storage scheme at the largest onshore wind farm in Wales.
This rapid change in the application of technology and innovation in the electricity generation and distribution sphere drives a need from developers and investors to be secure that the regulatory framework is keeping up with this change.
The main drivers for adding storage to solar projects
The drivers for adding storage to solar projects vary from project to project (generally depending on whether there is an on-site or off-site offtaker and whether the storage is to have a technical interface with the solar plant). However the main drivers include the following:
Storage provides tangible benefits to an on-site offtaker e.g. provision of base-load power (less reliance on the grid), cheaper and consistent power supply (grid network cost savings), ability for a consumer to engage in arbitrage and TRIAD (a method for calculating and charging for peak energy use by C&I customers) management.
Where contracted storage revenue streams are not sufficient to fund the CAPEX cost of the asset, a solar PPA (power purchase agreement) can add a stable, certain revenue stream for funders.
The storage revenue streams can subsidise a new build unsubsidised solar plant and may enable a competitive PPA price to be offered.
The storage project can help the solar project become a more efficient asset e.g. operate with a lower export capacity/manage export constraints.
Regulatory obstacles for combined energy storage & solar projects
The regulatory obstacles for storage have been discussed at length recently. In brief, the main obstacles for energy storage and solar include:
Lack of definition of storage in the Electricity Act 1989 – it is therefore generally treated as generation, triggering potential obligations to get licenses.
Need for more clarity. In an on-site model, clarity will be required as to who will receive the storage revenue – the landlord (consumer) or project company?
Who holds the grid connection – is there stranded asset risk?
If storage is taking power off grid (to charge), the project may be subject to double charging under grid codes.
Potential double charging under final consumption levies –e.g. CCL (Climate Change Levy) which could apply on the import and subsequent consumption.
Whether storage will affect existing accreditation under support schemes – ROC (Renewable Obligation Certificates), FiTs (feed-in tariffs), CFDs (Contracts for Difference).
