Why is energy storage so important?

There is a growing need to increase the capacity for storing the energy generated from the burgeoning wind and solar industries for periods when there is less wind and sun. This is driving unprecedented growth in the energy storage sector and many countries have ambitions to participate in the global storage supply chains.

How does energy storage work?

It uses excess energy from the local grid during the day, normally supplied by solar power, to compress and liquify the gas, storing it in steel tanks. The heat generated as a by-product during the process is stored in special Thermal Energy Storage units. When there’s a need for electricity, the process is reversed.

What drives energy storage growth?

Energy storage growth is generally driven by economics, incentives, and versatility. The third driver—versatility—is reflected in energy storage’s growing variety of roles across the electric grid (figure 1).

Why do we need a co-optimized energy storage system?

The need to co-optimize storage with other elements of the electricity system, coupled with uncertain climate change impacts on demand and supply, necessitate advances in analytical tools to reliably and efficiently plan, operate, and regulate power systems of the future.

What is the future of energy storage?

Storage enables electricity systems to remain in balance despite variations in wind and solar availability, allowing for cost-effective deep decarbonization while maintaining reliability. The Future of Energy Storage report is an essential analysis of this key component in decarbonizing our energy infrastructure and combating climate change.

How to improve energy storage industry competitiveness?

Efficient manufacturing and robust supply chain management are important for industry competitiveness of energy storage: Establishing domestic manufacturing facilities and supply chains, along with diversification through free trade agreement countries, can enhance the resilience of the energy storage industry.