Storage exports jump 600% as solar sees ‘exponential’ increase, new figures show

Exports of solar PV and battery storage to GB distribution networks have seen a “exponential” increase in recent years, according to new data from ElectraLink and the Renewable Energy Association (REA).

The data, taken from ElectraLink’s Energy Market Data Hub, recorded both conventional solar, as well as solar that was known to have different behavioural patterns most likely because it is co-located with storage or other forms of generation.

Exports to GB distribution networks of solar PV rose from 194GWh in 2012 to 8TWh in 2018, according to the data.

While exports from battery storage rose from 50MWh in 2014 to almost 49GWh in 2018. Between 2017 and 2018, there was a 600% increase in battery exports.

The data comes in a week where renewables’ contribution to the UK’s electricity mix has been particularly celebrated, with research from Carbon Brief finding that renewables generated more than fossil fuels for the first time in Q3 of this year.

It comes on the back of several record-breaking quarters. Total solar generation soared to 2.7TWh in Q1 of the year as renewables hit a quarterly high, Q3 of 2018 also saw renewables break records with high levels of solar lauded as a key factor.

ElectraLink’s data also found that in 2018, exports from dispatchable sources had fallen to under 40% in comparison with 60% in 2012, highlighting the increasing requirement for flexibility assets such as battery storage.

Paul Linnane, head of energy market insight at ElectraLink, said the data is an “unprecedented view” of embedded generation’s contribution to the energy mix.

“An exponential increase like this cannot be ignored as networks plan for more solar PV to be connected, and especially with the uptake of electric vehicles,” he continued.

Further data is to be released in the Flexible Futures report on 24 October.