Integrating Flow Batteries Into Frequency Response Markets

With the ability to withstand large numbers of daily cycles without degradation, flow batteries are well suited to providing ancillary grid services. So far, however, this form of storage has yet to be heavily adopted for these use cases. In this presentation, we’ll share lessons learned from the first integration of a vanadium redox flow battery into National Grid’s dynamic firm frequency response (dFFR) market in the UK—a installation coupled with a 250kW peak generation capacity solar installation in Dorset and integrated with Open Energi’s Dynamic Demand platform. We’ll explore how flow batteries and lithium-ion compare in the provision of certain services, and also share a perspective on the outlook for further uptake of storage systems providing ancillary services in the US and UK markets.