At a seminar organised in partnership with the Regional Government of Galicia, several experts analysed the electricity storage challenge, and the technical and economical barriers that need to be overcome to achieve viable storage solutions.

  • The Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation presented a publication describing the various electricity storage technologies being developed around the world.
  • Through its foundation, GAS NATURAL FENOSA promotes information, training and increased public awareness about improving energy efficiency and technological innovation in the field of energy.

The Councillor for Economic Affairs and Industry of the Regional Government of Galicia, Francisco José Conde, and the Managing Director of the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation, Martí Solà, officially closed the Electricity Storage seminar in Santiago de Compostela today. The seminar analysed the various electricity storage technologies being developed and the technological and economical barriers that need to be overcome to achieve viable and efficient storage solutions. The seminar was officially opened by the Director-General for Energy and Mines of the Regional Government of Galicia, Angel Bernardo.

During the seminar, the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation presented the book Electricity Storage, by the Director of the Energy Materials Department of the Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC) and Professor at the University of Barcelona, Joan Ramón Morante. The book, commissioned and published by the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation, describes the various storage systems being developed and the decisive impact they are having on the efficient, competitive development of smart electricity grids, electric vehicles and renewable energies.

The Assistant Director of the Gas Natural Fenosa Hydraulics Unit, David Alejandro, explained that pumped storage hydroelectric power plants are currently the only effective storage system in existence and described their important role in the electricity system, thanks to their flexibility, large capacity and ability to adapt to supply and demand.

The Head of the Gas Natural Fenosa Technological Innovation Department, Manuel Calvo, continued the seminar by explaining a new technology that, through a chemical transformation, allows electricity to be stored using gas infrastructure.

This technology, known as Power-to-Gas, generates hydrogen using water and electricity, which is subsequently injected into the gas network directly or converted to methane (synthetic gas). He also pointed out that the storage capacity of the gas network in Spain represents 8.7% of annual consumption and would allow 6.3% of annual electricity demand to be covered.

In the automotive industry, the Head of the Energy Lab Mobility Department, Carlos Gutiérrez, presented a descriptive timeline of different battery developments, leading to the lithium-ion battery that currently forms part of the most common system in commercial hybrid and electric vehicles. He also discussed the particular characteristics that this fleet represents for electricity distribution networks.

In turn, the Managing Director of the Centre for Smart Electricity Grid Solutions of Toshiba Europe GmbH, Toshiaki Asano, presented his company's experience of researching and developing large storage batteries for electricity distribution networks, and how they can increase the "intelligence" of the grid.

Finally, the Director of the Network Integration Department of the National Centre for Renewable Energies (CENER), Mónica Aguado, highlighted the key role to be played by storage systems in the future electricity grid, and explained the technical and economical barriers, as well as other regulatory and market issues that need to be overcome in order to ensure that storage can be a reality in our system.

The seminar brought together close to 120 professionals from companies, universities and public authorities engaged in the energy, mobility and environment sectors.

The Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation

The Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation, founded in 1992, mainly focuses on the promotion of information, training and increased social awareness about improving energy efficiency and technological innovation in the field of energy while respecting and protecting the environment. Through its Gas Museum, it promotes cultural activities to preserve and publicise the industry's historical and cultural heritage. It also engages in international activities in Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Morocco, Italy and Moldova.


Santiago de Compostela, 22 October 2014.

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