IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i6p1489-d1614499.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Cost-Optimizing Analysis of Energy Storage Technologies and Transmission Lines for Decarbonizing the UK Power System by 2035

Author

Listed:
  • Liliana E. Calderon Jerez

    (School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK)

  • Mutasim Nour

    (School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK)

Abstract

The UK net zero strategy aims to fully decarbonize the power system by 2035, anticipating a 40–60% increase in demand due to the growing electrification of the transport and heating sectors over the next thirteen years. This paper provides a detailed technical and economic analysis of the role of energy storage technologies and transmission lines in balancing the power system amidst large shares of intermittent renewable energy generation. The analysis is conducted using the cost-optimizing energy system modelling framework REMix, developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The obtained results of multiple optimization scenarios indicate that achieving the lowest system cost, with a 73% share of electricity generated by renewable energy sources, is feasible only if planning rules in England and Wales are flexible enough to allow the construction of 53 GW of onshore wind capacity. This flexibility would enable the UK to become a net electricity exporter, assuming an electricity trading market with neighbouring countries. Depending on the scenario, 2.4–11.8 TWh of energy storage supplies an average of 11% of the electricity feed-in, with underground hydrogen storage representing more than 80% of that total capacity. In terms of storage converter capacity, the optimal mix ranges from 32 to 34 GW of lithium-ion batteries, 13 to 22 GW of adiabatic compressed air energy storage, 4 to 24 GW of underground hydrogen storage, and 6 GW of pumped hydro. Decarbonizing the UK power system by 2035 is estimated to cost $37–56 billion USD, with energy storage accounting for 38% of the total system cost. Transmission lines supply 10–17% of the total electricity feed-in, demonstrating that, when coupled with energy storage, it is possible to reduce the installed capacity of conventional power plants by increasing the utilization of remote renewable generation assets and avoiding curtailment during peak generation times.

Suggested Citation

  • Liliana E. Calderon Jerez & Mutasim Nour, 2025. "A Cost-Optimizing Analysis of Energy Storage Technologies and Transmission Lines for Decarbonizing the UK Power System by 2035," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-25, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:6:p:1489-:d:1614499
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/6/1489/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/6/1489/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Scholz, Yvonne & Gils, Hans Christian & Pietzcker, Robert C., 2017. "Application of a high-detail energy system model to derive power sector characteristics at high wind and solar shares," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 568-582.
    2. Després, Jacques & Hadjsaid, Nouredine & Criqui, Patrick & Noirot, Isabelle, 2015. "Modelling the impacts of variable renewable sources on the power sector: Reconsidering the typology of energy modelling tools," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 486-495.
    3. Gils, Hans Christian & Pregger, Thomas & Flachsbarth, Franziska & Jentsch, Mareike & Dierstein, Constantin, 2019. "Comparison of spatially and temporally resolved energy system models with a focus on Germany's future power supply," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    4. Gils, Hans Christian & Scholz, Yvonne & Pregger, Thomas & Luca de Tena, Diego & Heide, Dominik, 2017. "Integrated modelling of variable renewable energy-based power supply in Europe," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 173-188.
    5. Fiammetta Rita Bianchi & Barbara Bosio, 2021. "Operating Principles, Performance and Technology Readiness Level of Reversible Solid Oxide Cells," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-23, April.
    6. Patrick Hoody & Andrew Chiasson & Robert J. Brecha, 2023. "The Transition to a Renewable Energy Electric Grid in the Caribbean Island Nation of Antigua and Barbuda," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-22, August.
    7. Bistline, John & Blanford, Geoffrey & Mai, Trieu & Merrick, James, 2021. "Modeling variable renewable energy and storage in the power sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    8. Tarkowski, Radoslaw, 2019. "Underground hydrogen storage: Characteristics and prospects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 86-94.
    9. Buttler, Alexander & Spliethoff, Hartmut, 2018. "Current status of water electrolysis for energy storage, grid balancing and sector coupling via power-to-gas and power-to-liquids: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 2440-2454.
    10. Aleksandar Anastasovski & Maria Beatrice Andreucci & József Kádár & Marco Delli Paoli, 2024. "Energy Storage in Urban Areas: The Role of Energy Storage Facilities, a Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-31, February.
    11. Després, Jacques & Mima, Silvana & Kitous, Alban & Criqui, Patrick & Hadjsaid, Nouredine & Noirot, Isabelle, 2017. "Storage as a flexibility option in power systems with high shares of variable renewable energy sources: a POLES-based analysis," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 638-650.
    12. Lund, Peter D. & Lindgren, Juuso & Mikkola, Jani & Salpakari, Jyri, 2015. "Review of energy system flexibility measures to enable high levels of variable renewable electricity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 785-807.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Maeder, Mattia & Weiss, Olga & Boulouchos, Konstantinos, 2021. "Assessing the need for flexibility technologies in decarbonized power systems: A new model applied to Central Europe," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(PA).
    2. Gils, Hans Christian & Gardian, Hedda & Kittel, Martin & Schill, Wolf-Peter & Zerrahn, Alexander & Murmann, Alexander & Launer, Jann & Fehler, Alexander & Gaumnitz, Felix & van Ouwerkerk, Jonas & Bußa, 2022. "Modeling flexibility in energy systems — comparison of power sector models based on simplified test cases," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    3. Mengzhu Xiao & Manuel Wetzel & Thomas Pregger & Sonja Simon & Yvonne Scholz, 2020. "Modeling the Supply of Renewable Electricity to Metropolitan Regions in China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-31, June.
    4. van Ouwerkerk, Jonas & Gils, Hans Christian & Gardian, Hedda & Kittel, Martin & Schill, Wolf-Peter & Zerrahn, Alexander & Murmann, Alexander & Launer, Jann & Torralba-Díaz, Laura & Bußar, Christian, 2022. "Impacts of power sector model features on optimal capacity expansion: A comparative study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    5. Faydi, Younes & Djdiaa, AbdelAli & Laabassi, Hichame & Ait Omar, Aissam & Bouzekri, Hicham, 2024. "Contribution of green hydrogen vector to guarantee electricity feeding in remote areas- Case study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    6. Zerrahn, Alexander & Schill, Wolf-Peter, 2017. "Long-run power storage requirements for high shares of renewables: review and a new model," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 1518-1534.
    7. Blanco, Herib & Leaver, Jonathan & Dodds, Paul E. & Dickinson, Robert & García-Gusano, Diego & Iribarren, Diego & Lind, Arne & Wang, Changlong & Danebergs, Janis & Baumann, Martin, 2022. "A taxonomy of models for investigating hydrogen energy systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    8. Klemm, Christian & Vennemann, Peter, 2021. "Modeling and optimization of multi-energy systems in mixed-use districts: A review of existing methods and approaches," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    9. Pietzcker, Robert C. & Ueckerdt, Falko & Carrara, Samuel & de Boer, Harmen Sytze & Després, Jacques & Fujimori, Shinichiro & Johnson, Nils & Kitous, Alban & Scholz, Yvonne & Sullivan, Patrick & Ludere, 2017. "System integration of wind and solar power in integrated assessment models: A cross-model evaluation of new approaches," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 583-599.
    10. Niina Helistö & Juha Kiviluoma & Hannele Holttinen & Jose Daniel Lara & Bri‐Mathias Hodge, 2019. "Including operational aspects in the planning of power systems with large amounts of variable generation: A review of modeling approaches," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 8(5), September.
    11. Stefan Arens & Sunke Schlüters & Benedikt Hanke & Karsten von Maydell & Carsten Agert, 2020. "Sustainable Residential Energy Supply: A Literature Review-Based Morphological Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-28, January.
    12. Gabrielli, Paolo & Poluzzi, Alessandro & Kramer, Gert Jan & Spiers, Christopher & Mazzotti, Marco & Gazzani, Matteo, 2020. "Seasonal energy storage for zero-emissions multi-energy systems via underground hydrogen storage," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    13. Haugen, Mari & Blaisdell-Pijuan, Paris L. & Botterud, Audun & Levin, Todd & Zhou, Zhi & Belsnes, Michael & Korpås, Magnus & Somani, Abhishek, 2024. "Power market models for the clean energy transition: State of the art and future research needs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 357(C).
    14. Chyong, Chi Kong & Reiner, David M. & Ly, Rebecca & Fajardy, Mathilde, 2023. "Economic modelling of flexible carbon capture and storage in a decarbonised electricity system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    15. Tobias Junne & Karl-Kiên Cao & Kim Kira Miskiw & Heidi Hottenroth & Tobias Naegler, 2021. "Considering Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Power System Expansion Planning for Europe and North Africa Using Multi-Objective Optimization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-26, February.
    16. Heffron, Raphael & Körner, Marc-Fabian & Wagner, Jonathan & Weibelzahl, Martin & Fridgen, Gilbert, 2020. "Industrial demand-side flexibility: A key element of a just energy transition and industrial development," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    17. Merrick, James H. & Bistline, John E.T. & Blanford, Geoffrey J., 2024. "On representation of energy storage in electricity planning models," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    18. Child, Michael & Kemfert, Claudia & Bogdanov, Dmitrii & Breyer, Christian, 2019. "Flexible electricity generation, grid exchange and storage for the transition to a 100% renewable energy system in Europe," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 139, pages 80-101.
    19. Gyanwali, Khem & Komiyama, Ryoichi & Fujii, Yasumasa, 2020. "Representing hydropower in the dynamic power sector model and assessing clean energy deployment in the power generation mix of Nepal," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    20. Savvidis, Georgios & Siala, Kais & Weissbart, Christoph & Schmidt, Lukas & Borggrefe, Frieder & Kumar, Subhash & Pittel, Karen & Madlener, Reinhard & Hufendiek, Kai, 2019. "The gap between energy policy challenges and model capabilities," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 503-520.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:6:p:1489-:d:1614499. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.