Thought Leadership in the Electricity System
A range of consultations and insights into the Electricity Market
by Mark Howitt
Storelectric
About the Author
Mark Howitt is Chief Technical Officer, a founding director of Storelectric. He leads Storelectric’s technical and operations, minimising technological risk, maximising efficiency and environmental friendliness, and speed to market. He focuses on technologically simple solutions using proven technologies wherever possible.
His degree was in Physics with Electronics. He has 12 years’ management and innovation consultancy experience world-wide. In a rail multinational, Mark developed 3 profitable and successful businesses: in commercialising a non-destructive technology he had innovated, in logistics and in equipment overhaul. In electronics manufacturing, he developed and introduced to the markets 5 product ranges and helped 2 businesses grow strategically.
Mark’s Blog
Personal blog of Mark Howitt, founding director and CTO of Storelectric Ltd and recognised international expert in the energy transition
Hydrogen and CAES
Hydrogen is increasingly being touted as the ideal technology for both electricity storage and balancing renewable generation on the grid. The reality is more nuanced than that: hydrogen and CAES complement each other, each with distinct roles in which they are the...
Grid Stability and Power Quality Challenges
The challenge of grid stability currently costs the grid about a half of energy balancing, but growing faster; within a very few years it is expected to overtake the balancing costs. In 2020 (and coincident with the rocketing non-energy costs of operating the system),...
Challenges of the Electricity Transition
Challenges of the Electricity Transition Most people discuss electricity storage as though the challenge were just energy: balancing renewables, providing enough energy when they’re not generating as much as is needed at any given time. In terms of operational cost,...
Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS) and CCS
Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS) and CCS The strategy for continuing to use gas-fired power stations to balance grids, and for continuing to produce most hydrogen using Steam Methane Reformation (SMR) of methane, all depends on Carbon Capture, (Use and) Storage,...
Electric versus Fuel Cell Vehicles
Mark’s Blog Personal blog of Mark Howitt, founding director and CTO of Storelectric Ltd and recognised international expert in the energy transitionElectric versus Fuel Cell Vehicles Electric Vehicles (EVs) Batteries are the major technology being proposed for the...
Political or Regulatory?
There are many current issues facing the energy system which are challenging enough without confusing political challenges with regulatory ones. Too many political challenges are being given to regulators to sort out, which is grossly complicating matters for all parties.
Review of Increasing Grid Balancing Costs
Introduction It has been widely reported that grid balancing costs in the UK have doubled between September and November, which is concerning both Ofgem and National Grid. The latter have instigated a review, which the Ofgem awaits before deciding on any actions....
Emissions Benefits of Storelectric’s CAES
This report analyses the emissions benefits (avoided emissions) of Storelectric’s Green CAES and Hydrogen CAES plants. For Hydrogen CAES, a methane-fired version is considered; if hydrogen-fired, then the figures for Green CAES apply approximately. For ease of...
Hydrogen’s Missing Links
Hydrogen’s Missing Links Hydrogen is an essential part of the Net Zero economy, so we support funding for developing its technologies. However it is not a panacea for everything; in particular its scope does not include balancing renewable generation or the...
Request more information
Our newsletters will keep you informed and updated about everything going on at Storelectric as well as energy storage in general.