Are battery energy storage systems a 'great achievement' in Ireland?

ESB Networks described the project as a “great achievement for battery storage” in Ireland. Battery energy storage systems, often referred to as Bess, are regarded as a vital part of the Ireland’s fledgling renewable energy sector and demand for them has never been higher.

Which battery energy storage systems are available in Ireland?

The Kylemore Battery Energy Storage System in Dublin went into operation in 2023 and has the capability of providing 30MW of fast-acting storage. The South Wall Battery Energy Storage System went live in 2023 and has the capability of providing 30MW of fast-acting energy storage.

How many MW of battery storage capacity are there in Ireland?

We currently have more than 300MWs of battery storage capacity in operation in Ireland, making it one of the largest battery portfolios in Europe. We plan to develop a pipeline of large scale battery projects, as well as additional renewable enabling technologies.

Is battery storage enough to meet Ireland's short-term reserve requirements?

The battery storage deployed today is enough to meet Ireland’s short-term reserve requirements, but we are going to need a lot more energy storage from a variety of technologies with different capabilities by 2030. This will be essential to manage the large volumes of renewable generation necessary to meet our climate action targets.

What is ESB's new battery energy storage system?

This specific battery energy storage system is the largest site of its kind in commercial operation in Ireland and is part of ESB’s pipeline of projects, worth up to €300m in investments, that aim to be delivered at sites in Dublin and Cork. This project has a capability of providing 75MW of energy for two hours to Ireland’s electricity system.

What is a battery energy storage system?

Battery energy storage systems, often referred to as Bess, are regarded as a vital part of the Ireland’s fledgling renewable energy sector and demand for them has never been higher. More than 700 megawatt (MW) of battery storage was active at the end of 2023 and another 500 MW has been contracted to connect over the next five years.