Batteries and the British Energy System

Abstract

Batteries are becoming a central part of modern energy systems, especially as electricity, transport and heat are decarbonised. In Great Britain, batteries already play an important role by providing flexibility and acting as a buffer for the system, and their importance will continue to grow as the system moves towards net zero by 2050. This perspective reviews how the role of batteries in Great Britain is evolving, their current value, and the growing contribution of batteries in the transport sector.It argues that the full value of electric vehicle batteries will only be realised through coordinated dispatch and better integration into system operation. Evidence from future scenarios developed by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) shows that while electric vehicles could provide most of the storage capacity, unmanaged charging could create challenges for the system rather than benefits. Unlocking this value will require improvements in market design, optimisation, and control strategies.