Experts in energy storage

What is energy storage?

Energy storage is a technology that holds energy at one time so it can be used at another time. Building more energy storage allows renewable energy sources like wind and solar to power more of our electric grid.

Why do we need advanced energy storage technologies?

Advanced energy storage technologies that deliver better performance and duration at lower costs are key to creating a cleaner, more reliable, and resilient electric power grid and all the benefits that clean, abundant energy provides to our country, including a decarbonized transportation sector.

What are the benefits of energy storage?

Understanding the benefits of the wide variety of storage technologies and developing the critical advancements required to bring down the cost of energy storage will help integrate renewable power sources such as wind, solar, and marine energy…and energize a modern, flexible, and resilient power grid.

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.

Who are PNNL's energy storage researchers?

A handful of PNNL's highly cited energy storage researchers. From left to right: Jie Xiao, Yuyan Shao, Jason Zhang, and Jun Liu. (Photo by Andrea Starr | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) PNNL’s energy storage experts are leading the nation’s battery research and development agenda.

How can energy be stored?

Energy can also be stored by making fuels such as hydrogen, which can be burned when energy is most needed. Pumped hydroelectricity, the most common form of large-scale energy storage, uses excess energy to pump water uphill, then releases the water later to turn a turbine and make electricity.