Energy Storage – Essential to Renewable Energy

Electric energy storage has becoming a more dominant topic of the overall energy management discussion primarily because of the:

• Increased production of electric vehicles being plugged into outlets for recharging every evening,
• Advent of net-zero homes, and
• Expansion of intermittent solar and wind generation into the mainstream of energy supply options.

As these factors begin to take on greater significance in impacting electricity supply and consumption levels, the ability to manage and store energy will be an integral part of the future electric system, particularly given the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources and the increased demand that will be placed on the electric grid. Energy storage will not only assist in making renewable energy more feasible, it will most likely accelerate its growth.

• Even though solar power by its very nature is attractive given its correlation with peak demand, a storm cloud, even for 30 to 60 minutes, can significantly reduce solar output. A grid storage system can smooth out these inevitable cycles of high and low outputs.

  

  Solar Panels

   

• The value of renewable generation can be increased despite periods where supply may exceed demand. An example would be wind generated power produced in the evening when the prices are low, but through storage, can be harnessed and made available during peak demand at higher prices.

The storage options include lithium energy storage, super-capacitors, and flywheel technologies. These technologies have proven effective in load leveling during peak demand, often delaying the need for constructing new substations. The largest grid storage facility in the U.S. is located in Presidio, TX and is a 4 MW system.

Additionally, community energy storage (CES) systems are sprouting up. These are smaller battery systems that typically service 4 to 5 homes and provide:

• Load leveling,
• Backup power,
• Support for plug-in electric cars, and
• Improved line efficiencies.

These CES systems are, by definition, located closer to the customer, and therefore less susceptible to an outage from overhead lines.