Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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47. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps that the Government is taking to seriously consider and explore alternative options for energy storage and provision in Ireland especially for those in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46739/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Electricity storage encompasses a broad range of technologies with distinct characteristics and capabilities, including speed of response and storage capacity, that provide a variety of critical services to the all-island power system. Maintaining security of supply while integrating greater levels of renewable generation will require a very high penetration of variable electricity on the Irish grid, with increased electricity storage capacity providing a low-carbon substitute for high greenhouse gas emitting fossil fuels.

EirGrid has reported that a number of battery storage projects have been contracted via two mechanisms: SEM Capacity Auctions and DS3 Systems Services. There is currently approximately 500MW of short-duration batteries on the all-island system providing system services, as well as 292MW of pumped hydro storage. In order to further support energy storage development throughout Ireland, my Department has committed to develop an energy storage policy framework which is due for publication early next year. To help inform the development of this framework a public consultation will issue shortly.

Hydrogen storage could also have a significant role to play in power generation as a form of long-term electricity storage, with hydrogen potentially being used as a backup to renewables to generate electricity during periods of low renewable availability. In July, my Department launched a public consultation to gather the views of stakeholders to inform the development of a hydrogen strategy for Ireland which will be published later this year. Among the issues addressed was the question of hydrogen storage and responses were invited on a range of questions as to how Ireland might best develop hydrogen storage capacity.

My Department is also currently undertaking a review of the security of supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. This review includes the identification of potential options to mitigate risks to security of supply, including different forms of energy storage. As part of this review, my Department recently launched a consultation to seek views from interested parties.

Finally, over the course of the next decade all energy users across Ireland will be invited to adopt new approaches to using and conserving energy, including changing how they generate, store and consume electricity. One example of this is ESB Network’s National Network, Local Connections programme which will be critical in creating a dynamic energy system and will explore the role of storage, among other flexibility drivers, in optimising the system for consumers across Ireland.