Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to support research and investment in the storage of electrical energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37668/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Government's policy objective is to ensure that energy is consistently available with minimal risk of supply disruption and as competitively priced as possible to meet the needs of businesses and domestic consumers. EirGrid, as the national transmission system operator, is responsible for developing and upgrading the transmission system in order to meet ongoing and future electricity needs, and as part of that responsibility, EirGrid continuously assesses the type and mix of technologies required to meet Ireland's energy needs.

Electricity storage contributes to grid stability, emissions reductions and system security by providing reserve capacity and ancillary services. The extent of its contribution depends on the reliability, storage size, flexibility and grid integration of individual technologies.

EirGrid has reported on various storage technologies in the most recent Generation Adequacy Report covering the period 2010-2016, which in particular, examines the role of large pumped hydro storage stations of the order of 1GW and 100GWh in combination with high renewables. In addition, EirGrid recently commissioned Pöyry engineering consultants, to report on future low carbon generation options, including storage, for the All-Island market. Both reports are available on EirGrid's website at www.eirgrid.com .