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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.

What would happen if there were no energy storage?

Without energy storage, the costs of the energy transition would be higher. Countries would need to “overbuild” wind and solar plants or look at other ways of integrating renewable energy, such as by managing demand — asking consumers to use less electricity because the wind is not blowing, for example — or importing electricity from abroad.

What is energy storage & how does it work?

As installations of wind turbines and solar panels increase — especially in China — energy storage is certain to grow rapidly. They are part of the arsenal of clean energy technologies that will enable a net zero emissions future. Without them, the world will never be able to move away from fossil fuels entirely. How does it work?

Do energy systems need long-term storage?

The need for long-term storage really starts to bite when energy systems are made up of more than 80 percent renewable energy. That figure is a very long way off for most countries.

Can long-duration energy storage technologies solve the intermittency problem?

Long-duration energy storage technologies can be a solution to the intermittency problem of wind and solar power but estimating technology costs remains a challenge. New research identifies cost targets for long-duration storage technologies to make them competitive against different firm low-carbon generation technologies.

How long do energy storage batteries last?

China’s CATL, the world’s largest battery producer, says its energy storage batteries can last for 25 years. Will it save the planet? Not on its own — but grid-scale energy storage is part of the combination of clean energy technologies that is needed to reach net zero.