The Electricity Storage Network

The ESN was established in 2008 as the UK industry group dedicated to electricity storage. It includes a broad range of electricity storage technologies and members, such as electricity storage manufacturers and suppliers, project developers, users, electricity network operators, consultants, academic institutions, and research organisations.

The ESN is managed by Regen.

Benefits of the Electricity Storage Network membership

Have influence

Have a stronger voice with BEIS, OFGEM, Treasury and key players, and shape the policy agenda around issues affecting the deployment of electricity storage and the role flexibility plays in the overall system.

Raise your profile

Increase your representation in the media and raise the profile of storage and its role in the system. Access our targeted networking opportunities through our exclusive events.

Stay informed

Attend our dedicated ESN-only events and working groups addressing the latest key issues for the sector, and receive our timely member newsletters and policy updates.

Key priorities

The ESN is committed to creating an environment in which storage can flourish, ensuring that regulations and markets work for all types of storage, without favouring one particular technology.

We have identified four key priorities which we will be particularly focused on in 2019/20:

Network charging reforms from Ofgem are having a significant impact on the sector, increasing volatility.
Storage is yet to be defined separately from generation – a key issue holding back many parts of the sector.
The Capacity Market is an important part of storage business models; storage needs to be treated fairly and the suspension must be resolved as quickly as possible.
The planning regime for storage is still based around legacy approaches to generation and often results in unsuitable treatment of storage.

Together, we can build a thriving sector and help your business develop.

We want to ensure our membership is a dynamic force that can spark change at the cutting edge of the energy system – find out more about the innovation projects, thought leadership reports and policy work that we are planning.

Let Ella Prior know which of the areas you’d like to be involved in and she can put you in touch with the policy lead.

Ofgem have proposed to adopt the ESN’s definition of storage in the electricity generation licence

“Electricity storage is the conversion of electrical energy into a form of energy which can be stored, the storing of that energy, and the subsequent reconversion of that energy back into electrical energy”

As a result of the ESN’s positive and influential relationships with decision makers over a number of years, we have succeeded in achieving a comprehensive, technology neutral and future-proof definition for storage.

ESN working groups

As a network, we hold regular working group meetings where we discuss sector developments and how industry and government can improve and adapt to increase the uptake of storage. We work closely with government and regulators to create a sector that allows storage to flourish.

Markets and Revenues

The markets and revenues working group looks at key market opportunities and new business models for storage, including future plans from the system operator and distribution system operators, existing and emerging markets and network charging reforms.

Health and Safety

The health and safety working group will work alongside the Health and Safety Governance Group run by BEIS and the British Standards Institution. Key areas of focus include, the sustainable materials sourcing and recycling, in particular, key materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel warrant increased attention and action.

Planning

Reforming the planning regime for storage is a key area of focus for the ESN. This working group investigates current barriers within the planning regime and develop recommendations to influence officials.

ESN membership costs

Package	Conditions	2019
Sponsor	Any welcome	£5000 + VAT
Large corporate	Turnover above £1 million	£2500 + VAT
Medium corporate	£300K - £1 million turnover	£1000 + VAT
Small corporate	Up to 5 employees and/or up to £300K turnover	£500 + VAT
Academic	Academic institution	£500 + VAT

Become an ESN member today

Please complete the form below and email it to Ella at econnolly@regen.co.uk

Book your membership here

Some of our ESN members

Policy priority areas

We have ambitious plans for the coming year, our areas of focus will include:

Major sector reforms

Network charging reforms from Ofgem are having a significant impact on the sector, increasing volatility.
Storage is yet to be defined separately from generation – a key issue holding back many parts of the sector.

Revenues

The business model for storage is based around a stack of revenues, so fluid access is vital to markets such as the Capacity Market, ancillary markets, balancing mechanism and flexibility markets.
There is some question as to whether the Smart Export Guarantee, the proposed follow-up to the Feed-in Tariff, will be available for small-scale storage. We are pushing government to ensure it is fairly included.
The business rate classification for storage is unsuitable and is resulting in high rates for storage, particularly for small businesses.

Log in to view our work towards these priorities

Regulatory issues

The planning regime for storage is still based around legacy approaches to generation and often results in unsuitable treatment of storage.
The health and safety regime for storage is still nascent and needs improving. Key areas of focus for the ESN are sustainable materials sourcing and recycling, in particular, materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel warrant increased attention and action.
Ofgem has recently prohibited DNOs from operating storage and may further prohibit ownership. Given that flexibility markets are not yet developed enough, we think this may inhibit storage deployment.