Understand energy storage on one screen

What is energy storage & how does it work?

Today's power flows from many more sources than it used to—and the grid needs to catch up to the progress we've made. What is energy storage and how does it work? Simply put, energy storage is the ability to capture energy at one time for use at a later time.

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.

Why is energy storage important?

Energy storage is a valuable tool for balancing the grid and integrating more renewable energy. When energy demand is low and production of renewables is high, the excess energy can be stored for later use. When demand for energy or power is high and supply is low, the stored energy can be discharged.

Why do we need electricity storage?

More broadly, storage can provide electricity in response to changes or drops in electricity, provide electricity frequency and voltage regulation, and defer or avoid the need for costly investments in transmission and distribution to reduce congestion.

How long can a storage system last?

The US Department of Energy (DOE)’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) has a program dedicated to research on storage that can provide power for long durations (10-100 hours). Extended discharge of storage systems can enable long-lasting backup power and even greater integration of renewable energy.

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.