How do we classify storage technologies with grid application potential?

First, we classify storage technologies with grid application potential into several groups according to the form of energy stored. This classification is presented to summarize technological and economic characteristics of storage technologies and also present the recent development of these technologies.

How do business models of energy storage work?

Building upon both strands of work, we propose to characterize business models of energy storage as the combination of an application of storage with the revenue stream earned from the operation and the market role of the investor.

How can energy storage be profitable?

Where a profitable application of energy storage requires saving of costs or deferral of investments, direct mechanisms, such as subsidies and rebates, will be effective. For applications dependent on price arbitrage, the existence and access to variable market prices are essential.

What are energy storage systems (ESS)?

Energy storage systems (ESS) are increasingly deployed in both transmission and distribution grids for various benefits, especially for improving renewable energy penetration. Along with the industrial acceptance of ESS, research on storage technologies and their grid applications is also undergoing rapid progress.

What are ESS grid applications?

At the same time, it is also important to classify grid applications of ESS by their working principles for gaining benefits. From the perspective of power systems, ESS contribute three types of resources: power regulation, energy storage and release, and capacity resource.

Which technologies convert electrical energy to storable energy?

These technologies convert electrical energy to various forms of storable energy. For mechanical storage, we focus on flywheels, pumped hydro, and compressed air energy storage (CAES). Thermal storage refers to molten salt technology. Chemical storage technologies include supercapacitors, batteries, and hydrogen.