ESB, Ireland's state-owned electricity company, has recently inaugurated a 75 MW/150 MWh solar battery storage facility, which is said to be the largest of its kind in commercial operation in the country. The solar battery storage plant is located at ESB's Poolbeg site in Dublin and has been operational since November last year. Its high-capacity batteries are designed to store excess renewable energy and provide power when required to Ireland's electricity system.
The new solar storage system is seen as a key enabler of the country's renewable energy transition. In line with this, Eamon Ryan, Ireland's Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, said that the site is a core part of the country's efforts to decarbonize its electricity generation sector and meet its climate goals. The Irish government has set a target of sourcing 70% of the country's electricity from renewable sources by 2030 under its Climate Action Plan.
Energy storage systems like ESB's new battery facility are becoming increasingly important as renewable energy sources such as wind and solar pv storage become more prevalent in the electricity mix. These sources can be intermittent, and energy storage provides a way to balance supply and demand, as well as provide grid stability and flexibility. ESB's new facility will also help to support the growth of renewable energy in Ireland by reducing curtailment, or the need to switch off renewable generators when there is too much supply on the grid.
The Poolbeg battery energy storage plant represents a significant investment by ESB in Ireland's energy future, and it is expected to play an important role in the transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon energy system.
