Post by ESB Networks

“The progress we've made on flexibility since the start of Price Review Five shows what’s possible when industry, policymakers and system operators work together with a shared purpose.” – Alan Keegan, Regulatory and Stakeholder Hub Manager, ESB Networks Great discussion at the Energy Storage Ireland Conference in Croke Park, where Alan Keegan joined Lisa Foley (Cornwall Insight Ireland), Hugh Dorgan (Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment) and Eoin Kennedy (EirGrid Group) for a panel on Energy Storage Policy: From Ambition to Implementation. Alan highlighted the importance of close collaboration with policymakers, in particular the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and the DCEE, and our industry stakeholders on the ESB Networks Demand Flexibility Product and to ensure evolving policy requirements are delivered effectively.  He also emphasised that progress depends on partnership, pointing to the Joint System Operator Programme between ESB Networks and EirGrid as a strong example of coordinated action across the sector. Welcoming recent CRU policy changes for hybrid energy storage sites, Alan noted the clear benefits they bring to the distribution network. As policy continues to evolve, ESB Networks remains focused on delivery and streamlining potential additional policy requirements which may follow in this space. Alan stated that ESB Networks will continue to work to identify synergies with similar work programmes to ensure delivery is efficient and coordinated. The discussion reinforced a shared commitment across the sector: working together to deliver the flexibility, resilience and innovation needed for a secure, low-carbon energy future. Darragh O'Brien TD, Greg Hanna, Kate Finnan, Kevin Doyle, Teresa Fallon, Akash Kumar