Battery storage is 'next big thing' for renewables

Battery storage is recognised as the ‘next big thing’ in the renewable energy sector.

That makes next week’s visit to Cronan Farm at Coupar Angus on Wednesday 16 December a fitting finale for NFU Scotland’s ground-breaking Renewables Development Initiative (RDI).

Hosted by Mike McLaren, this will be the final open day of the RDI and will highlight the key opportunities that will remain in the renewable energy sector even if the Government imposes the cuts proposed for feed in tariffs (FiTs) in January.

Farmers and landowners with high on site energy use have the potential to be at the forefront of the battery technology revolution with solar being the most complementary technology for battery storage. Different battery storage technologies will be covered on the day as well as energy optimisation, LED lighting and grid management solutions.

The visit is the final event to be held as part of the three-year RDI project, designed to provide sound, independent advice to farmers and land managers across Scotland on renewable energy. Through a programme of on-farm events, co-ordinated by Thomas McMillan of Savills Smiths Gore, the initiative has already shown more than a thousand Scottish farmers and land managers energy projects that are contributing to farm businesses or are at the planning stage.


Although approaching the end, the RDI project has more than met its aim of helping Scottish farmers and land managers fulfil their energy generating potential. Discussions have already started on whether funding for similar venture in the future should be sought.