Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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At present there are a number grants available through the Better Energy Programme, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland  on behalf of my Department, which enable homeowners to choose renewable energy solutions. However, there are no supports or grants currently available to support domestic battery storage systems in Ireland. My Department is currently developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which is being designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contribution to EU-wide targets out to 2030. The design of the new scheme has included an extensive independent economic appraisal which compared the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies at various scales including micro-generation, to ensure that the new scheme delivers value for money for energy users whilst also delivering on the energy pillars of sustainability and security of supply.

Micro generation, which typically involves an element of self-consumption and storing or selling of excess electricity to the grid, was also appraised as part of the RESS economic assessment. The analysis identified a number of challenges that may need to be addressed before a support scheme for micro generation can be developed.

I am committed to further exploring opportunities for supporting micro generation, as I believe that micro-generation could have an important role in Ireland’s transition to a low carbon economy, in assisting Ireland meet its renewable electricity targets, and increasing social acceptance of and promoting renewable energy projects right across the country. In October 2017 my Department and SEAI hosted a workshop on micro generation which discussed a number of these challenges with relevant stakeholders and identified a number of potential options to incentivise greater uptake of micro generation in Ireland, including the linking of supports for micro generation and battery storage. Micro generation support policies will be developed further throughout 2018.

Domestic battery storage technology forms part of on-going research and development funded by the SEAI on behalf of my Department.