The problems of poor power quality and loss of supply represent a significant cost to certain customers within commercial and industrial market sectors in terms of electrical and electronic equipment malfunction and lost productivity. Similarly, electricity suppliers are under increasing pressure to ensure reliable and high quality power to meet energy supply contracts, whilst distribution network operators have to meet high levels of network performance as laid down by the industry Regulator (Ofgem). Utility-scale energy storage is an emerging technological solution that promises to solve many power quality and reliability problems. Unfortunately, the market penetration achieved by electrical energy storage systems to date has been heavily constrained by their cost and the limited operational experience, resulting in high associated technical and commercial risk. However, the potential for energy storage is increasingly evident, especially for those companies operating in competitive electricity markets. Scientific advances in combination with a global shift in emphasis towards competitive utility industries has accelerated developments and there are now growing numbers of demonstration projects around the world illustrating the versatility of energy storage systems.
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