Combining solar and wind farms with large battery storage systems at a single site – known as co-location – offers a range of advantages. These include reduced risks for renewable energy plant operators by diversifying revenue streams, protecting against price cannibalisation and enabling generation or feed-in to be shifted to evening hours.
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The economic efficiency of battery storage can be increased through cost savings resulting from a shared grid connection point and faster grid connection. Advantages for the electricity supply include fewer grid bottlenecks, avoided feed-in restrictions for plants and better utilisation of scarce grid resources.
The main barrier to market introduction is the regulatory environment. However, some European countries are already making progress.
To learn more about co-location, join our daily focus from 6 to 9 October at 18:00 (Monday to Thursday). (hcn)
