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.

Where will energy storage be deployed?

energy storage technologies. Modeling for this study suggests that energy storage will be deployed predomi-nantly at the transmission level, with important additional applications within rban distribu-tion networks. Overall economic growth and, notably, the rapid adoption of air conditioning will be the chief drivers

Is battery energy storage a new phenomenon?

Against the backdrop of swift and significant cost reductions, the use of battery energy storage in power systems is increasing. Not that energy storage is a new phenomenon: pumped hydro-storage has seen widespread deployment for decades. There is, however, no doubt we are entering a new phase full of potential and opportunities.

Why do we need energy storage?

Low-cost renewable electricity is spreading and there is a growing urgency to boost power system resilience and enhance digitalization. This requires stockpiling renewable energy on a massive scale, notably in developing countries, which makes energy storage fundamental.

How does energy storage work?

Energy storage can be used to lower peak consumption (the highest amount of power a customer draws from the grid), thus reducing the amount customers pay for demand charges. Our model calculates that in North America, the break-even point for most customers paying a demand charge is about $9 per kilowatt.

Could energy storage be the future of the grid?

Together, the model enhancements opened the door to exploring many new research questions about energy storage on the future grid. Across all modeled scenarios, NREL found diurnal storage deployment could range from 130 gigawatts to 680 gigawatts in 2050, which is enough to support renewable generation of 80% or higher.