Time to step up investment in energy storage

sir – The solution to green energy intermittency is more storage. Liquid air (Features, January 9) appears to offer a promising way forward, although it is not the only available technology.

If companies that are seeking licences to build either wind farms or solar parks were only granted permission to do so on the condition that they invested in a certain number of days’ energy storage at the mean output of the proposed facility, it would quite quickly go a long way towards solving the problem.

Dr Chris Staley

Bredwardine, Herefordshire

sir – Why are energy bills due to rise again, when it’s been confirmed that wholesale gas prices are now lower than they were before Russia started the war in Ukraine?

Who is forcing the prices up, and who is making huge profits from British consumers? Why does the Government or the Opposition not investigate what is happening?

Ron Watson

Middlesbrough

sir – The Energy Bills Support Scheme is provided to every household in the UK, which means that if you are fortunate or wealthy enough to own two homes, you receive double the allowance of those who only live in one.

Once again, because of incompetence, this Government has reacted to events by widely distributing taxpayers’ money without any proper consideration or planning. Sue Crouch

Stroud, Gloucestershire

sir – I have just ordered my last delivery of household coal. Apparently, from May 1, coal will be unavailable in England and burning it will be banned.

However, my coal merchant tells me that it is still available and can be used on domestic fires in Scotland and Wales. Smokeless fuel is just not the same. The majority of my fuel use is dried hardwood with less than 12 per cent moisture content. Coal is required for a fast start and heat buildup, as well as the creation of flame in an open fire.

Jon Pearson

Hope Valley, Derbyshire