Comment: Future-proofing our domestic energy capacity is critical

The global energy crisis has forced us collectively to consider greener and more sustainable alternatives to existing energy market structures and supply. That this transition is no longer contested is undoubtedly positive, but for it to succeed in the years to come will require a concerted emphasis on future-proofing the infrastructure that must underpin it. Burning fossil fuels is a major driver of climate change: without an effective transition to renewables we cannot hope to overcome this global emergency. 

The speed of the renewable transition is rapidly increasing across Europe, driven by the constant advances in technology, particularly in battery storage, that we continue to see; the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme estimates that whilst 173.5GW of new solar capacity was installed in 2021, this figure could rise to 260GW in 2022. These figures will continue to rise in the years ahead - so ensuring we capitalise on this growth in the long term by putting the correct measures in place now is vital. 

One measure to prioritise is battery storage which, when coupled with solar installations of all sizes, can help stabilise grids through frequency support, and balance power flows to make sure energy is delivered when it is needed the most. As we develop new renewable assets at scale, ensuring they have batteries will have huge benefits; we’re adding a 2MW/2 MWh battery storage to our 12MW Linköping solar park, which will make it the largest co-located solar-plus-storage plant in Sweden and support the national electricity grid through frequency regulation and the optimisation of the energy our solar park produces.

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Batteries also now have excellent lifespans, and like photovoltaic panels, can easily be repaired or removed with negligible cost if needed. Solar panels are also long-lasting; the vast majority are still in use which reduces the need for recycling and provides a more durable infrastructure in itself. Thus, by placing a heavy emphasis on driving battery storage, we can revolutionise the way we produce electricity, making it a force of predictability and providing grid stability in place of current uncertainties, such as the threat of winter blackouts looming over households and businesses across Europe.

Here, it’s also important to note that the looming threat of blackouts is not one that is solely and inextricably linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine either; only recently did Norway have to consider reducing its volume of power exports to the UK, arising from a lack of rain that depleted its own hydropower reservoirs. Thus, driving battery storage should not just be seen as a response to recent geopolitical events, but as sensible insurance against that which cannot necessarily be foreseen. 

Grid interconnection processes must also be addressed: the extent to which they continue to lag was highlighted by the CEO of Octopus Energy in the UK, who cited the UK national grid as “not fit for purpose,” due to the way existing regulations slow down its connection processes. Thus, the pace at which new supplies can be connected must be addressed swiftly through reforms to the underlying processes and updating infrastructure. Otherwise, we risk creating further complications due to a backlog arising from the increasing amount of renewable capacity being built whilst interconnection speeds fall further behind.

The scale of renewable infrastructure needed will require a fast-paced approach, which can only be achieved through the creation of new renewable jobs. Many of these can be created through the reskilling of existing workforces, with many skills required to implement renewable infrastructure being directly transferable from other industries. The merits of allowing green industry to flourish are clear; the latest IRENA report estimates that the energy transition could create close to 85 million additional jobs by 2030 compared to 2019. Creating green jobs now is a necessity for our energy security and future prosperity.

If we are to collectively ensure we are no longer beholden to external global shocks, our energy goals must be acted up with the future heavily in mind. This will require us to prioritise the development of battery storage across a range of applications, transition the current energy workforce into a renewable energy job industry, and modernise the grid so that interconnection processes are streamlined and fit for a new green age of energy. By future-proofing our energy infrastructure at haste now through these steps, we can deliver a more stable, sustainable and prosperous future for us all. 

Harald Överholm, CEO and founder of Alight