Energy Storage Integration for a Net Zero Grid (ESI4NZ)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Abstract
Increased energy storage storage is needed on the electrical network to support high levels of variable renewable electricity such as wind and solar to enable us to reach our net-zero goals. The UK network currently has 5.3GW of energy storage of which 1.3GW is battery energy storage and this is expected to grow by at least 8GW by 2030. However, this alone does not meet the estimated required capacity, we therefore need to use the storage that we have optimally, for example, the location of storage and when we use it is critical to avoid congestion on the network. We also need to promote the installation of different types of storage that can operate over different time scales so that for example excess generation in one season can be used in the next.
The aim of the project is to determine how different distributed energy storage assets, of different sizes and technologies, can be integrated into the grid as part of a whole-system solution to enable adaptability, flexibility and resilience. The project will investigate where and how assets are connected to the grid, how they are controlled and what policies and market conditions are required to meet our storage requirements. The research will be carried out across 5 collaborating institutions with the work underpinned by experiments using operational grid-scale storage demonstrators operated within the consortium.
The outputs will include:
- Recommendations for optimal planning and scheduling of distributed storage under different policy and market conditions including incentives/regulation of locational deployment
- The impacts of different levels of coordination of distributed storage across location, scale, and markets
- Demonstrations of practical, scalable solutions for the coordinated control of storage assets and other sources of flexibility
- A roadmap that describes the decision points and options for the energy system as distributed energy storage grows according to different scenarios to 2035.
The aim of the project is to determine how different distributed energy storage assets, of different sizes and technologies, can be integrated into the grid as part of a whole-system solution to enable adaptability, flexibility and resilience. The project will investigate where and how assets are connected to the grid, how they are controlled and what policies and market conditions are required to meet our storage requirements. The research will be carried out across 5 collaborating institutions with the work underpinned by experiments using operational grid-scale storage demonstrators operated within the consortium.
The outputs will include:
- Recommendations for optimal planning and scheduling of distributed storage under different policy and market conditions including incentives/regulation of locational deployment
- The impacts of different levels of coordination of distributed storage across location, scale, and markets
- Demonstrations of practical, scalable solutions for the coordinated control of storage assets and other sources of flexibility
- A roadmap that describes the decision points and options for the energy system as distributed energy storage grows according to different scenarios to 2035.
Organisations
- University of Sheffield (Lead Research Organisation)
- Oxto Energy (Project Partner)
- Brook Green Innovations Ltd (Project Partner)
- Arenko Group (Project Partner)
- Community Windpower (Project Partner)
- Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (Project Partner)
- Siemens plc (UK) (Project Partner)
- Modo Energy Ltd (Project Partner)
- Orsted (Project Partner)
- Highview Power Storage (Project Partner)
- EC-OG Engineering Ltd (Project Partner)
Publications
Alahyari A
(2023)
Assessing the impact of distributed energy storage in future distribution grids
in IET Conference Proceedings
TS Bryden
(2024)
Real-Time Energy Storage Simulators for the Electricity Grid
Hutchinson A
(2024)
Standalone and Hybridised Flywheels for Frequency Response Services: A Techno-Economic Feasibility Study
in Energies
Alahyari A
(2024)
A stochastic multi-range robust approach for low carbon technology participation in electricity markets
in International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems
Bryden T
(2024)
Real-Time Energy Storage Simulators for the Electricity Grid
Hutchinson A
(2024)
Flywheel Energy Storage for Ancillary Services: A Novel Design and Simulation of a Continuous Frequency Response Service for Energy Limited Assets
in IEEE Open Access Journal of Power and Energy
Hutchinson A
(2025)
A comprehensive review of modeling approaches for grid-connected energy storage technologies
in Journal of Energy Storage
Yan H
(2025)
Resilience assessment of coordinated energy storage assets in low-carbon grids
in IET Conference Proceedings
| Description | This project has contributed to understanding how energy storage can be optimally deployed to support the UK's transition to a net-zero electricity system. A key achievement was the development of new modelling frameworks that support long-term planning of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in distribution networks, incorporating decisions around siting, sizing, technology choice, installation timing, and participation in frequency response markets. These tools account for real-world constraints such as delayed grid connections, market variability, and asset degradation. The research demonstrated that strategic planning of BESS deployment can significantly reduce network reinforcement costs and carbon emissions while increasing storage profitability. In one case study, coordination across technologies and sites reduced operational costs by over 15% compared to uncoordinated approaches. Models also showed how energy storage can reduce reliance on carbon-intensive balancing mechanisms, potentially displacing more than 1 TWh of gas-fired generation annually. The project delivered the UK's first techno-economic analysis of seasonal energy storage as a structured service. Five long-duration technologies (compressed air, hydrogen, gravity, thermal, and pumped hydro) were evaluated for their viability in storing energy across months. Results showed that some technologies are already approaching economic feasibility, with compressed air and pumped hydro particularly well positioned. These findings provide an evidence base to inform new market mechanisms, such as cap-and-floor revenue models currently under discussion. While the focus was on modelling and scenario analysis, the project also implemented a Distributed Real-Time Simulation Environment (DRTSE), allowing coordinated control strategies to be tested across multiple simulated storage assets. This novel platform supports future experimental validation of control and communication strategies in a low-risk, scalable way and strengthens confidence in proposed operational approaches. All primary objectives of the award were met. The project bridged technical, economic, and policy domains, providing a joined-up view of how energy storage can be integrated into the UK power system. The findings will be of value to network operators, aggregators, developers, and policy makers, offering both strategic insights and practical tools for future planning. Follow-on work is already underway using these models to assess storage investment pathways, revenue mechanisms, and grid services under future energy scenarios. |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes of this project offer valuable tools and insights for a wide range of stakeholders involved in the transition to a low-carbon energy system. Network operators can apply the planning and optimisation models developed through this work to assess where and when to deploy energy storage in their networks, accounting for frequency response needs, reinforcement costs, and grid constraints. Energy storage developers and aggregators can use the techno-economic frameworks to evaluate investment strategies, technology choices, and revenue stacking opportunities, including in markets for dynamic frequency response and long-duration storage. Policy makers and regulators, including Ofgem and DESNZ, may draw on the project's findings to inform the design of support mechanisms for storage, particularly seasonal and grid-balancing technologies, through mechanisms such as cap-and-floor models or capacity markets. The economic viability modelling for seasonal storage directly supports policy development in this area. Academia will also benefit from the modular modelling and real-time simulation frameworks, which provide a foundation for further interdisciplinary research across power systems, control, and economics. Already, these tools are being used in follow-on projects to evaluate storage in relation to electric vehicles, hydrogen systems, and grid resilience. |
| Sectors | Electronics Energy Transport |
| Description | House of Commons Select Commitee: "Decarbonisation of the power sector - Oral evidence" |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/event/17108/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/ |
| Description | Long Duration Energy Storage Consultation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/work/7872/longduration-energy-storage/publications/ |
| Description | Presentation of Policy Tool to DESNZ |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Title | GB Energy Policy Tracker |
| Description | A tool has been developed which details all active and superceded energy policy in GB in one centralised location, showing connections between different policies and enabling far easier parsing of information and enabling greater understanding of the policy environment and history. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | None so far, but it will be published shortly. |
| Description | Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage - 10 Year Anniversary Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | JR and CH led the workshop and presented on the role of markets for supporting storage development, provoking discussion and thoughts from workshop attendees. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Climate Link-up Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Presentation/talk on role of storage and storage policy/markets in the UK as part of a webinar, which was well attended with around 20 attendees, leading to a good discussion on policy in the UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://climatelinkup.com/future-of-green-energy/#Program |
| Description | Contribution to BBC Article on Clean Energy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | DG contributed insight to an article on Sand Batteries, published on international BBC pages. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20221102-how-a-sand-battery-could-transform-clean-energy |
| Description | ESI4NZ Industry Workshop 2 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A 2nd workshop was held with representatives across the industry to deliver presentations on the work undertaken by the project and get views from industry for a policy briefing. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | ESI4NZ Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A workshop was held with representatives across the industry to deliver presentations on the work undertaken by the project and get views from industry on the call for evidence on long duration energy storage. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7110586993775923200/ |
| Description | IEA Workshop (Task 41) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | CH and JR contributed to workshop discussions on storage around Europe, presented update on UK situation increasing awareness on the UK perspective to European colleagues. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Interview for ITV |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | DG provided an interview giving insight onto the potential repercussions on the energy system of strikes at Drax Power station. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Interview with Radio Show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Contributed to a segment called 'how sand can help us heat our houses in winter with renewable energy' providing technical expertise and analysis to the general public |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Interview with Yorkshire Post |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | DG gave an interview to the Yorkshire Post on onshore wind turbines, contributing to the understanding of planning rules and the effects of installing wind turbines on the UK energy system. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/environment/onshore-wind-companies-call-for-ban-on-new-turbines... |
| Description | Invited seminar Indian Institute of Technology Delhi |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Invited seminar by DTG at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi discussing energy storage, current status in the UK activities in the ESI4NZ project. Attendance was mainly from postgraduate students and academics from the institution. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Invited speaker at the IET 2nd Int. Conf. on Powering Net Zero |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Invited talk by DTG on flywheel energy storage, discussion followed on alternative forms of energy storage and challenges on integration of the grid. Aligns with the ESI4NZ project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://poweringnetzero.theiet.org/ |
| Description | Keynote speaker at policy conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I was keynote speaker at the Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum policy conference on 'Next steps for energy storage in the UK', speaking on 'Integrating storage into the energy system - innovation and policy challenges'. The conference provided an overview of energy storage developments and future prospects to a high-level audience, with discussion around many topics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/publication/Energy-Storage-23 |
| Description | School Visit for Junior Engineer |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | DG and AH led sessions for local primary school students designed to inspire them into a STEM career. Students engaged well and were excited by the sessions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
| Description | Speaker at IEA Energy Storage TCP OnSeminar on Roadmaps for Energy Storage |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Online seminar organised by the International Energy Agency's (IEA's) Energy Storage Technology Collaboration Programme (TCP) on energy storage roadmaps. I presented on the UK roadmap for energy storage research and innovation. Other presenters covered other IEA countries, followed by Q&A and discussion from attendees. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://iea-es.org/events/energy-storage-onseminar/ |
| Description | Talk at Sheffield UKESF Girls into Electronics Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | DG provided a talk on UK energy for attendees at the Sheffield event for Girls into Electronics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.unitasterdays.com/events/event/68040/ukesf-girls-into-electronics-hosted-by-university-o... |
| Description | The Climate Question Podcast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | DG participated in a podcast for BBC World Service, engaging with the question of whether renewables can be used for heating and providing insight and technical expertise. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/can-renewables-be-used-for-heating/id1538415261?i=100059306850... |
| Description | Westminster Forum Projects |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | DG gave a presentation on the next steps to UK energy security and participated in a discussion afterwards with policy makers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |