The United Kingdom's transition to renewable energy has accelerated the deployment of utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) to manage grid stability. A national grid report estimates that the total operational capacity of these utility-scale battery storage installations will rise from 1.16 gigawatts (GW)1.16\text{ gigawatts (GW)}1.16 gigawatts (GW) at the end of 2020 to 6.43 gigawatts (GW)6.43\text{ gigawatts (GW)}6.43 gigawatts (GW) by the end of 2025.
Energy firms and grid operators are investing heavily in high-capacity lithium-ion and flow batteries to store excess wind and solar generation, which can be discharged during peak demand hours to reduce reliance on natural gas peaking plants.
Using the information above, calculate the increase in the estimated operational capacity of utility-scale battery storage in the United Kingdom between 2020 and 2025.
98 exam-style questions on Edexcel A GCSE Geography Energy resource management. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.