14 September 2007
E.ON is to develop a giant battery the size of four shipping containers to store energy generated by wind turbines and solar power.
The prototype for the battery, which will be used when demand for energy is high, will contain the power of ten million standard AA batteries, E.ON claimed.
The project, supported by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, is due to be operational in 2009.
"Green power is only generated from wind farms when the wind blows, and that might not be when the power's needed by customers," Bob Taylor, Managing Director of Energy Wholesale and Technology said.
"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.
"A school with solar panels can store the power generated at weekends and use it when the kids are back in school," he added.
Earlier this week the government was accused of failing to help people in the UK adopt a greener lifestyle.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee criticised MPs for failing to put their rhetoric on green principles, particularly on energy efficiency in homes, into practice.
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