Battery farms are part of renewable energy, but their role is specific and limited. They are not the comprehensive answer to backup energy needs for intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar power. Instead, their primary function should focus on grid stabilization and short-term energy management.
Limitations of Battery Farms
Short Duration Coverage
Battery farms are designed to handle short-term energy deficiencies. For example, on a day when wind and solar are providing minimal energy (common in winter), gas and imports fill the gap. Even with the most optimistic assumptions, existing battery farm storage can only supply a fraction of the need for a very short period. The Swansea farm could power the grid for just about a second when considering the entire grid’s need.
Extreme Weather Events
Extreme weather events further stress the limitations of battery storage. In 2018, there was a nine-day period with less than 1% of normal wind levels. To back up the grid during such periods using only batteries is impractical. Studies indicate that, in extreme cases, storage capacity of up to 30,000 GWh may be necessary. Existing proposals are far from reaching such numbers.
Intermittent Energy Management
Dealing with intermittent energy is more complex than just having enough storage. Wind droughts—periods of negligible wind speed—can last for days or even weeks. For example, in March 2021, an 11-day wind drought resulted in an energy deficit of 1 TWh. Such periods occur more frequently than initially anticipated. Even extensive battery farms cannot compensate for sustained periods without wind or solar energy.
Inextinguishable Fires
CLIMATE REALISM BY PAUL BURGESS
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