coal plants repurposed for battery storage

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UK’s last coal plant could be repurposed into a giant battery

As the UK closes its final coal-fired power station, the site may gain a second life as storage for renewable energy, marking a major shift in the nation’s transition toward decarbonization.

Michael Marshall reports for the BBC.

In short:

The Ratcliffe-on-Soar power plant, the UK's last coal-fired station, ceased operations in September 2024, marking the end of coal-based energy generation in the UK.
Energy companies are turning defunct fossil fuel sites, like Ferrybridge C in West Yorkshire, into battery energy storage systems (BESS) to store excess renewable energy for future use.
BESS technology is essential for overcoming the intermittency challenges of renewable energy sources, and the UK must significantly increase its battery storage capacity to meet decarbonization goals.

Key quote:

"In the last 20 years, this technology has improved a lot. The control is more precise, and also the cost has decreased."

— Grazia Todeschini, electrical engineer at King's College London

Why this matters:

These “energy banks” are one key to smoothing out the ups and downs of renewables, keeping power flowing even when nature doesn’t cooperate. Read more: We don’t have time for another fossil fuel bridge.

www.bbc.com

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