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.

Do we need energy storage solutions?

“We need energy storage solutions to make them permanent,” says researcher and electric battery expert Philippe Knauth in an interview for bbva.com. He also points out that the democratization of energy depends on “the combination of renewable energies and energy storage.”

How will energy storage affect global electricity demand?

Energy storage will play a significant role in maintaining the balance between supply and demand as global electricity demand more than doubles by mid-century. This growth in demand will be primarily met by renewable sources like wind and solar.

How does energy storage work?

Energy storage creates a buffer in the power system that can absorb any excess energy in periods when renewables produce more than is required. This stored energy is then sent back to the grid when supply is limited.

What technologies will be used in the future of energy storage?

These will be particularly important for storage requirements that go beyond the current four hour duration. Some of the most matured technologies include sodium-ion, flow batteries, liquid CO2 storage, and a combination of lithium-ion and clean hydrogen.

Do energy storage systems cover green energy plateaus?

Energy storage systems must develop to cover green energy plateaus. We need additional capacity to store the energy generated from wind and solar power for periods when there is less wind and sun. Batteries are at the core of the recent growth in energy storage and battery prices are dropping considerably.