Next generation energy storage 2016

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.

Are flow-battery technologies a future of energy storage?

Flow-battery technologies open a new age of large-scale electrical energy-storage systems. This Review highlights the latest innovative materials and their technical feasibility for next-generation flow batteries.

How can we improve energy storage?

To promote future discoveries and achieve breakthroughs in energy storage there must be close integration of theory, modelling and simulation with synthesis and characterization over the full range of length and time scales — from atoms to microstructures to systems (Fig. 7a).

Why is energy storage important?

Energy storage is a potential substitute for, or complement to, almost every aspect of a power system, including generation, transmission, and demand flexibility. Storage should be co-optimized with clean generation, transmission systems, and strategies to reward consumers for making their electricity use more flexible.

Why do we need a co-optimized energy storage system?

The need to co-optimize storage with other elements of the electricity system, coupled with uncertain climate change impacts on demand and supply, necessitate advances in analytical tools to reliably and efficiently plan, operate, and regulate power systems of the future.

What are smart energy storage devices?

Smart energy storage devices, which can deliver extra functions under external stimuli beyond energy storage, enable a wide range of applications. In particular, electrochromic (130), photoresponsive (131), self-healing (132), thermally responsive supercapacitors and batteries have been demonstrated.