ESB, the national energy company, has announced the opening of a large battery facility on its site in the Poolbeg area of Dublin. The battery facility will add approximately 75 MW of fast-acting energy storage, which will enhance the stability of the grid in Ireland and increase the share of renewable energy in the electricity system.
This is one of the largest commercial operations of its kind in Ireland, and the new battery energy storage system is part of ESB’s planned investment program for its facilities in Dublin and Cork, with investments expected to reach up to 300 million euros.
The excess renewable energy stored in the batteries can be utilized when needed. ESB hopes that the new facility will contribute to Ireland’s climate goals by 2030 and help the company achieve its own net-zero target by 2040.
“Energy storage, such as the new large battery facility at ESB’s main site in Poolbeg, will be a key element of the new energy transformation in Ireland and will play an important role in balancing our new domestic energy supplier,” said Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, TD.
“No energy system can function without backup. Previously in Ireland, it was provided by fossil fuel-powered plants. However, in the future, we will be able to store increasing amounts of wind and solar energy in energy storage projects and then use it to support the system, instead of relying on dirty and costly coal or gas.”
The project, operational since November 2023, located at the ESB Poolbeg Energy Hub in Dublin, has the capacity to deliver 75 MW of energy to the Irish electricity system for a duration of two hours.
The site also features the latest technologies supporting future forms of renewable energy, such as batteries, hydrogen, and offshore wind energy.
“This is another significant milestone for ESB as we commission our latest large-scale battery unit, which will support grid stability and increase the share of renewable energy in Ireland’s electrical system,” said Jim Dollard, Executive Director of Generation and Trading at ESB.
The KPMG report published at the end of last year suggests that almost all industry experts believe that Ireland will not meet the key targets of its Climate Action Plan.
At the same time, concerns are raised about Ireland’s insufficient power grid capacity, which is inadequate to accommodate the amount of solar and wind energy projects that will be necessary to achieve the country’s energy goals by 2030.
FAQ Section based on the main topics and information presented in the article:
1. What is the purpose of the new large battery facility in Dublin?
The opening of the new large battery facility in Dublin aims to provide stability to Ireland’s electricity grid and increase the share of renewable energy in the electricity system.
2. What is the goal of ESB’s investment program in Dublin and Cork?
ESB plans to invest up to 300 million euros in an investment program for its facilities in Dublin and Cork.
3. How can stored renewable energy be utilized?
Stored renewable energy in batteries can be used when needed to ensure access to energy when it is not being produced by renewable sources.
4. How did Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, describe the importance of energy storage?
Minister Eamon Ryan described energy storage as a key element of energy transformation in Ireland and an important role in balancing the country’s new domestic energy supplier.
5. What technologies support future forms of renewable energy at the ESB Poolbeg Energy Hub?
The ESB Poolbeg Energy Hub includes the latest technologies such as batteries, hydrogen, and offshore wind energy, which support future forms of renewable energy.
Key Terms/Jargon Definitions in the Article:
– Energy storage: The process of storing excess energy for future use when needed.
– Renewable energy: Energy derived from natural sources such as the sun, wind, water, or biomass that are unlimited or naturally replenished.
Suggested Related Links to the main domain:
– esb.ie – ESB’s official website, the national energy company responsible for opening the new battery facility in Dublin.
– kpmg.com – KPMG’s official website, the organization that published the report on Ireland’s climate goals. (Shortened URL to refer to the main domain only)
The source of the article is from the blog klikeri.rs