BIGGEST LITHIUM TITANATE BATTERY IN UK ADDRESSES ENERGY STORAGE

UK researchers to tackle renewable energy storage challenges with Giant Lithium Titanate battery

Academic and industrial partners in the UK with the 11kV Grid Connected Energy Storage Research Demonstrator will connect a 2 MW lithium titanate battery to the electrical grid in October to explore potential applications of large scale batteries for energy storage purposes.

At present, storage deficiencies waste renewable energy and prevent power from fickle sources like wind, sun and wave from being available on demand. In response to these challenges, the research team will use a fast-charging, long-lasting and comparatively safe lithium titanate Toshiba battery to store and provide immediate access to energy. This battery will be the largest of its kind installed in the UK.

Ideally these large batteries could decrease the necessity of maintaining generators on standby and respond to demand peaks. By providing a research-oriented forum to explore the application of large scale batteries for energy storage, without the constraints imposed by commercial ventures, this project will investigate the advantages of grid connected energy sources in a real working environment.