Energy Storage Association | Jason Howlett

Energy Storage Association | Jason Howlett

In this episode of Energy Unwrapped, I’m joined by Jason Howlett, founder of the Energy Storage Association (ESA).

Jason has spent more than 20 years working in renewable energy and battery storage, including senior roles at Segen and GivEnergy.

But after years working in the industry, he became frustrated that energy storage didn’t have its own dedicated voice when it came to government policy, regulations and technical standards.

So he decided to do something about it.

The result was the Energy Storage Association, established to represent businesses across the energy storage industry and help shape how storage technology is developed, installed and used in the UK.

And we’re talking about much more than the home batteries many of us are familiar with.

Energy storage includes everything from hot water cylinders and electric vehicles to large-scale battery installations and technologies capable of storing energy for days or longer.

We discuss why all these different forms of storage matter, how they can help balance the electricity grid and why the industry needs common standards.

We also look at things from the homeowner’s point of view.

How can batteries work with smart electricity tariffs? What happens when a battery manufacturer goes out of business? Who is responsible for safety, software support and consumer protection? And could homeowners eventually earn more money by allowing their batteries to help balance the grid?

It’s a wide-ranging conversation about an industry that’s growing quickly, the challenges that come with that growth and why Jason believes it needs a stronger voice.

What we cover in this episode

• Jason Howlett’s background in renewable energy and battery storage
• Why he founded the Energy Storage Association
• Who the ESA represents and how membership works
• Why energy storage needs its own industry body
• Working with government, Ofgem and electricity system operators
• Battery installation standards and PAS 63100
• Consumer protection when battery manufacturers fail
• Battery safety, fire risks and changing battery chemistries
• Why energy storage includes much more than home batteries
• Thermal storage, hot water cylinders and long-duration storage
• Vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home technology
• The role of batteries in balancing the electricity grid
• Smart tariffs, flexibility services and virtual power plants
• Why battery software and communication between systems matter
• Cybersecurity and connected energy devices
• How household batteries can support the wider electricity system
• Why consumers need better information about battery storage
• The future of energy storage in the UK

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Full Transcript

Below is the full transcript for this episode, lightly edited for readability.

Meet Jason Howlett

Jason starts by talking about his career in renewable energy and battery storage.

With more than 20 years in the industry, his experience covers technologies ranging from anaerobic digestion and hydroelectric generation to different battery chemistries.

He also held senior roles at Segen and GivEnergy before establishing the Energy Storage Association.

We discuss how that experience led him to believe the storage industry needed its own organisation.

Why Jason Founded the Energy Storage Association

One of the catalysts for establishing the ESA was the introduction of PAS 63100, which provides guidance on the installation and location of battery energy storage systems.

Jason felt the industry hadn’t been properly represented during discussions about the guidance.

He describes approaching existing trade bodies before deciding to establish a dedicated organisation himself.

The ESA was formed in 2025 to give the energy storage sector a stronger voice in discussions about policy, regulation and standards.

Who Does the Energy Storage Association Represent?

The ESA brings together businesses working across different parts of the energy storage industry.

Its members include battery manufacturers, distributors, installers, technology companies, universities and organisations involved in flexibility services.

Jason explains why having a broad membership matters when discussing technical standards and government policy.

The aim is to represent the industry as a whole rather than one particular technology or manufacturer.

Why Does Energy Storage Need Its Own Industry Body?

Solar and wind generation already have established organisations representing their interests.

But Jason argues that energy storage presents a different set of challenges.

Storage doesn’t generate electricity. It allows energy to be moved from one time to another, making it useful alongside many different forms of generation.

We discuss why this creates separate questions around safety, grid connections, technology standards and how storage should be rewarded.

Working With Government and Regulators

Jason explains how the ESA works with government departments, regulators and electricity system organisations.

The discussions cover everything from installation requirements and grid connections to planning, permitting and cybersecurity.

We talk about why industry involvement matters when new standards are being developed, particularly in a sector where technology can change faster than regulation.

Consumer Protection and Battery Manufacturer Failures

Home battery systems represent a substantial investment for many households.

But what happens if the company that supplied your battery stops trading?

Jason discusses the challenges created when manufacturers or suppliers fail, including concerns about warranties, software support and long-term maintenance.

We look at why consumers need confidence that the products they’re buying will remain supported throughout their working lives.

Battery Safety and Installation Standards

Battery safety is an important part of the ESA’s work.

We discuss how battery technologies have changed, particularly the move towards lithium iron phosphate chemistry in many modern home storage systems.

Jason explains why installation guidance, product standards and suitable locations matter.

We also consider the balance between protecting homeowners and avoiding unnecessary barriers to installing storage.

Energy Storage Is More Than Home Batteries

When most homeowners think about energy storage, they probably picture a battery connected to their solar panels.

But Jason explains that the industry covers a much wider range of technologies.

That includes large-scale grid batteries, long-duration storage and other ways of storing energy for later use.

We discuss why different storage technologies are needed for different jobs and why one solution won’t necessarily suit every situation.

Hot Water and Thermal Energy Storage

Not all energy needs to be stored as electricity.

We discuss how hot water cylinders and other forms of thermal storage can shift energy consumption away from busy periods.

For example, heating water when electricity is cheap or plentiful allows that energy to be used later without needing to run the heating appliance at peak times.

It’s an area that’s particularly relevant to households with heat pumps and smart electricity tariffs.

Electric Cars as Energy Storage

Electric vehicles already contain batteries much larger than many domestic storage systems.

We discuss the potential for vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid technology, allowing electricity stored in a car to be used elsewhere.

Jason considers how future charging arrangements could encourage drivers to charge when electricity is plentiful and discharge when it’s more useful to the wider system.

That could mean using electricity stored at home, at work or potentially at other locations.

Why the Electricity Grid Needs Storage

Electricity generation and demand have to remain balanced.

As more wind and solar generation is added to the system, the amount of electricity available can vary considerably throughout the day.

Jason explains how energy storage can help manage those changes, absorbing electricity when there’s an excess and releasing it when demand increases or generation falls.

We discuss why storage is becoming an increasingly important part of the electricity system.

Smart Tariffs and Home Battery Savings

Home batteries were originally often installed to store excess solar generation for use later in the day.

But smart electricity tariffs have changed the economics.

We discuss how some households now charge their batteries using cheap overnight electricity while exporting solar generation when export prices are more attractive.

Jason explains how this is changing the way people think about batteries, from simple solar self-consumption towards more active management of household electricity.

Virtual Power Plants and Flexibility Services

A large number of home batteries could potentially provide useful support to the electricity grid.

We discuss virtual power plants and flexibility services, where connected batteries can respond to signals from electricity suppliers or other organisations.

The idea is that homeowners could receive financial rewards for allowing some of their stored energy to be used when the grid needs it.

But this depends on having the right software, commercial arrangements and consumer protections in place.

Making Battery Systems Work Together

A recurring problem with home energy technology is that different manufacturers use different software and communication systems.

We discuss why greater compatibility could make it easier for batteries, solar panels, EV chargers and other devices to respond to smart tariffs and flexibility schemes.

Jason also explains why cybersecurity becomes more important as increasing numbers of connected devices can import and export electricity.

Helping Consumers Understand Battery Storage

Jason shares findings from consumer research discussed within the ESA.

In a survey involving around 4,000 respondents, 62% reportedly didn’t fully understand what energy storage was or what it could do.

We discuss why better information is needed so homeowners can make informed decisions about battery storage.

That includes understanding potential savings, installation requirements, how systems operate and what benefits they might provide beyond the individual household.

What’s Next for the Energy Storage Association?

Towards the end of the conversation, Jason talks about the ESA’s growing membership and the work being carried out through its specialist groups.

Topics include plug-in battery standards, long-duration storage, planning and permitting, consumer protection and supporting UK supply chains.

He also explains how the organisation has developed beyond its original small team and why bringing more businesses into the discussions should help the industry speak with a more representative voice.

Related Reading and Resources

Energy Storage Association

Find out more about the ESA, its members, working groups and policy work.

Visit the Energy Storage Association

About the Energy Unwrapped Podcast

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