Could Scotland be sourcing 100% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, by investing now in cutting-edge energy storage technologies? That’s the topic being explored when a group of energy experts from across the UK and Europe meets at Heriot-Watt University later this month.
The workshop will provide a great opportunity to share knowledge and discuss emerging technologies to gain a clearer understanding of the prospects for green energy storage in Scotland.
Participants include specialists in the field of energy storage from Germany, Denmark, Italy and the UK.
They’ll discuss how Scotland might increase significantly its energy storage capacity by investing in new commercial and experimental products including systems that are integrated in individual buildings and whole communities; cutting-edge battery technology; smart energy systems and hydrogen fuel cells at local and grid scales.
Speakers at the workshop include Professor Henrik Lund of Aalborg University, Denmark, Professor Dr Klaus Vajen of Kassel University, Germany, Dr Ebbe Münster of PlanEnergi, Denmark, Professor Marco Masoero of Politecnico di Torino, Italy and Professor Sue Roaf who is at Heriot Watt University.
Professor Roaf said:
“Scotland has huge potential to become 100 per cent renewable if we can integrate enough energy storage capacity into the system. We need to learn from countries like Germany and Denmark who are world leaders in this field as well as developing a new generation of home-grown storage technologies and opportunities.”
A key challenge with renewable energy is storing the intermittently generated wind and solar energy and wave energy until it is needed for buildings and industry. Other countries in Europe such as Germany and Denmark already have advanced storage systems in place, driven by policies on feed-in tariffs for renewable, that promote large-scale investment.
Sue Roaf added:
“The workshop will provide a great opportunity to share knowledge and discuss emerging technologies to gain a clearer understanding of the prospects for green energy storage in Scotland.
“The Energy Academy has world-leading teams of researchers working on future thermal and electrical energy storage systems but it is vital to learn from and collaborate with our European neighbours who have led the way.”
Companies wishing to take advantage of the last few spaces available in the Heriot-Watt University’s Energy Academy’s ‘Thermal and Electrical Energy Storage Workshop’ should contact Sue Roaf at S.Roaf@hw.ac.uk or Energy@hw.ac.uk Tel: 0131 451 3881.
Professor Roaf is also presenting on energy storage systems and related research and development opportunities for Scottish SMEs at the Energy Academy Showcase on 20 October 2014. For further information about the Showcase contact Patrick McCarthy at P.McCarthy@hw.ac.uk Tel: 0131 451 3881.
Pictured is Professor Sue Roaf, Heriot Watt University