Last week's poll: UK grid-scale storage

There are several possible technologies available or in development:

• Conventional batteries (by which we mean large-capacity lithium-ion systems used at facilities such as Australia’s “mega battery”)
• Other battery technologies, such as redox flow, which are capable of storing energy for longer but may be more expensive at the moment.
• Pumped hydro storage is in use in the UK, such as at the Dinorwig “Electric Mountain” in Snowdonia, but is curtailed by geography so more new capacity may not be practical.
• Gravity storage, where excess power is used to hoist weights to the top of defunct coal-mine shafts which are then dropped to regenerate the energy when needed.

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Despite some of the challenges the technology faces, pumped hydro was the most popular option amongst our readers, garnering 31 per cent of the vote. Cryogenic grid-scale storage came in second with 20 per cent. Just 8 per cent felt lithium-ion batteries were the best fit for the UK, with readers slightly more convinced by redox flow battery technology (12 per cent). Gravity-based systems were backed by 13 per cent of respondents, while 16 per cent chose the 'other' option.

"Cryogenic storage is very promising and well worth developing," wrote Jack Broughton. "However, pumped storage is the only proven large scale system of those listed, for GWh level storage.

"The other storage technology that is proven at this scale is Compressed Air Energy Storage, CAES. There are two of these that have been in very long term use and the design is proven."

"The big issue in storage is the length of time storage technology can support the grid," said Phillip Owen. "Is it a question of a few minutes frequency support? Is it a question of a few hours for reducing peak requirements? Is it a question of 10 days demand for the entire United Kingdom on a cold January or February anticyclone when the wind doesn’t blow and the days are short and foggy? To provide cover for 10 days with renewable resources would require tidal energy and perhaps a six-hour storage period."

Readers are invited to continue the debate in the comments section of our news piece on Highview Power's new cryogenic storage project or indeed kick off a brand new conversation below the line here in response to the poll results. As ever, we ask people to familiarise themselves with our guidelines for the content of comments before submitting and remind them that all comments are moderated for length, style and clarity.