As the world transitions to renewable energy sources, battery storage technologies play a vital role in replacing fossil fuels. Battery storage systems will play an increasingly pivotal role between green energy supplies and responding to electricity demands.
Battery storage, or Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), enables energy from renewables (solar, wind) to be stored and released when needed.
Why is Battery Energy Storage Important and how it works
Battery Energy Storage (BES) plays a key role ensuring homes and businesses can be powered by green energy, even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind has stopped blowing. Battery storage systems harness energy from solar and wind power, storing it for release when needed. Advanced software algorithms and computerized control systems optimize energy production, storage, and release. During peak demand, stored energy is dispatched to the grid, ensuring a reliable and cost-effective supply.Battery storage is essential for integrating renewable energy into the grid. By capturing and storing excess energy, battery storage systems can:
- Reduce production costs
- Support net-zero carbon goals
- Enhance energy security
- Increase the value of clean energy
Benefits and Savings
The EU community estimates that battery storage and other low-carbon technologies could save the energy system up to $40 billion by 2050, leading to lower energy bills.
Emerging Storage Technologies
While lithium-ion batteries dominate the market, researchers are developing alternative storage solutions:While lithium-ion batteries dominate the market, researchers are developing alternative storage solutions:
- Compressed air Energy Storage – With these systems, generally located in large chambers, surplus power is used to compress air and then store it. When energy is needed, the compressed air is released and passes through an air turbine to generate electricity.
- Mechanical gravity energy storage – One example of this type of system is when energy is used to lift concrete blocks up a tower. When the energy is needed, the concrete blocks are lowered back down, generating electricity using the pull of gravity.
- Flow batteries – In these batteries, which are essentially rechargeable fuel cells, chemical energy is provided by two chemical components dissolved in liquids contained within the system and separated by a membrane.