Scientists Developing Giant 'Green Energy' Battery

Eon U.K. is developing a giant battery designed to store electricity generated by wind farms and solar panels. Scientists at the energy group’s technology center in Nottingham aim to build a large-scale prototype that would be able to store 1MW of electricity for four hours – the equivalent to 10 million AA batteries and the same size as four articulated lorry containers.

“Green power is only generated from wind farms when the wind blows and that might not be when the power’s needed by customers,” said Bob Taylor, managing director of energy wholesale and technology. “By researching and developing this battery we can store the power generated by wind farms any time and then use it when our customers need it the most.“

Eon is already working with small-scale prototypes; it expects the large prototype to be operational by autumn 2009. The project is being supported by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.