What Makes Decentralised Energy Storage Schemes Successful? An Assessment Incorporating Stakeholder Perspectives

Abstract

Decentralised energy storage is increasingly seen as being important for decarbonising local energy systems and the global market for such systems is expected to grow significantly. Several studies have looked into the technical development of decentralised energy storage systems, as well as examining how different business models can enable them to capture a variety of value streams. Recent work has also explored public perceptions of energy storage, yet so far there has been little focus on how the different dimensions affecting deployment interact together. Here, we present the result of a deliberative workshop which gathers stakeholders’ views and addresses how the interplay between these three dimensions affects successful deployment. Our approach is holistic and integrative and utilises a participatory decision-making methodology. The findings of the research add substantially to the understanding of how decentralised energy storage schemes should be implemented. The research reveals that there are many aspects that can help to either facilitate or impede a storage scheme, and stakeholders perceive multiple ways to engage with the deployment of the technology. We show that the following four principles could contribute to achieving success: maximizing simplicity and clarity; managing expectations, uncertainty and risk; generating benefits for the community; and the involvement of trusted actors.

The Role of Distributed Energy Resources and Associated Business Models in the Decentralised Energy Transition: A Review

“…There will be a need for a comprehensive review of the energy regulatory ecosystem as the transition to decentralisation continues [32]. In this new multivariate energy ecosystem, it is not entirely clear what rules are needed and who should decide on them and enforce them [33]. The continued innovation of energy generation and storage technologies that are presenting new revenue-raising opportunities are not only a disruption to the status quo, but a major opportunity for those who act early in the transition.…”

“…To complement the consideration of current barriers to the implementation of specific high-value DER service configurations and business models, overarching landscape conditions and their influence through time need to be considered [33]. For instance, as the transition to a decentralised energy system progresses-mainly due to customer purchasing [55]-it is likely that government support will increase to involve revisions and updates to existing policy positions, regulatory frameworks, and fiscal policies [56].…”

DSO Strategies Proposal for the LV Grid of the Future

“…These considerations are exclusively connected with a single specific test case. The second solution is decentralised and consists in using power conversion systems with energy storage systems at the consumer (prosumers) [16][17][18][19][20]. The use of dispersed ESS systems depends on the times of response to the service of the ESS user [21] and/or the availability of the ESS systems at the given adjustment moment [22].…”