Storage of energy and power systems

Storage of Energy & Power Systems (STEPS) Project – helping the energy revolution across the Oxford to Cambridge Arc. By Martin Garratt, Chief Executive, Cambridge CleanTech

The energy revolution is driving transformational change in the way that energy is generated, distributed and used. Energy system change throughout history – from wood to coal, coal to oil and now from oil to renewables has always brought social technological and economic change. The Oxford to Cambridge Arc economic region is playing a leading role in developing and demonstrating the new technological infrastructure that is driving this change.

The Energy Superhub in Oxford is demonstrating the role large scale battery storage can play in EV infrastructure roll out and Cambridgeshire’s Mobilising Local Energy Investment has developed a range of retrofit, renewable smart grid projects. The STEPS project is also a new initiative that will link sites across the Arc region – Harwell Technology Campus in Oxfordshire and Allia’s Future Business Centre in Cambridge. The project aims to pilot building scale battery technologies using a range of cutting edge battery chemistry, battery management and energy management systems. In addition to the two host sites the project is a partnership between the Faraday Institution, Cambridge Cleantech and four UK energy systems innovators; Aceleron, Amte Power, Brill Power and Starke Energy. The project will create two battery systems pilots and runs until December 2022.