In 2015, IRENA identifies four applications in which batteries are deployed to increase the share of variable renewable energy and improve electricity supply reliability. These application areas are (i) island systems and off-grid/rural electrification with renewable energy deployment, (ii) households with solar photovoltaic (PV), (iii) variable renewable energy smoothing and energy supply shift and (iv) fast, short-term electricity balancing in ancillary markets. According to IRENA, the storage capacity of battery electricity storage (BES) systems in stationary applications by 2030 has to increase by a factor of at least 17 compared to today’s estimated level, to meet the requirements for doubling renewables in the global energy mix. This boom in storage will be driven by the rapid growth of utility-scale and behind-the-meter applications. Besides, it claims that the largest market for BES in the period to 2030 maybe the pairing of BES systems with the installation of new small-scale solar PV systems.
Besides that, The European Commission, through its Renewable Energy Directive, supports energy storage as a means to integrate renewables, in relation to the right of consumers to produce and self-consume electricity.
Additionally, the European Commission declares: “Energy storage is a key component in providing flexibility and supporting renewable energy integration in the energy system. It can balance centralized and distributed electricity generation, while also contributing to energy security. The development of storage technologies is an important component of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan and is also identified as a key priority in the Communication on Accelerating Clean Energy Innovation.”
In addition, during the last years, photovoltaic solar energy has experienced a great advance driven, to a great extent, by the development and application of the regulations which standardizes its use. Manufacturers of photovoltaic components certify their products according to international regulations to ensure that they meet the quality requirements demanded by the market. The Technical Committee 82 of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is one of the most relevant bodies in charge of preparing the standards of the photovoltaic sector. These standards include the requirements and qualification procedures that photovoltaic modules must comply with to ensure their correct performance during prolonged periods of time in moderate climatic conditions.
This School focuses on PV integration technical solutions: This school provides the participants with the opportunity to understand and master excellently the main concepts relating to the identified topic. This school also explores state-of-the-art theories and frameworks. The participants will be exposed to apply these methods and evaluate solutions to problems by adopting scholarly approaches.