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Gas storage tanks at an LNG Terminal. © Copyright Robin Lucas and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. |
Great
news for energy security as reported in this RTÉ News article, but of course some aren't happy because the
gas (shipped as liquid methane) that it's hoped will supply it may come
from fracking. The plant will also include a 120 MWh Battery Energy
Storage System, such facilities being needed nationwide to store energy
and release it as needed (although they're controversial as we saw
locally). Newer forms of electricity generation such as wind can be
unpredictable, so battery storage acts as a buffer to feed the grid when
the Sun isn't shining or wind isn't blowing. It's hoped, according to
the RTÉ article, An Bord Pleanála won't put a spanner in the works now
and appeal the High Court ruling on the LNG terminal. The court
overturned An Bord Pleanála's refusal of permission for the facility
last September.
There's an error in the RTÉ article. "120-megawatt" should presumably read "120 MWh" or "120 megawatt-hours".