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Grid energy storage

Grid energy storage (also called large-scale energy storage) is a collection of methods used for energy storage on a large scale within an electrical power grid. Electrical energy is stored during times when electricity is plentiful and inexpensive (especially from intermittent power sources such as renewable electricity from wind power, tidal power and solar power) or when demand is low, and later returned to the grid when demand is high, and electricity prices tend to be higher.

"Grid storage" redirects here. For data storage with grid computing, see Grid-oriented storage.

As of 2020, the largest form of grid energy storage is dammed hydroelectricity, with both conventional hydroelectric generation as well as pumped-storage hydroelectricity.[1][2]


Developments in battery storage have enabled commercially viable projects to store energy during peak production and release during peak demand, and for use when production unexpectedly falls giving time for slower responding resources to be brought online. Green hydrogen, which is generated from electrolysis of water via electricity generated by renewables or relatively lower carbon emission sources, is a more economical means of long-term renewable energy storage in terms of capital expenditures than pumped-storage hydroelectricity or batteries.[3][4]


Two alternatives to grid storage are the use of peaking power plants to fill in supply gaps and demand response to shift load to other times.

fuel-based power plants (i.e. coal, oil, gas, nuclear) can be more efficiently and easily operated at constant production levels

electricity generated by intermittent sources can be stored and used later, whereas it would otherwise have to be transmitted for sale elsewhere, or shut down

peak generating or transmission capacity can be reduced by the total potential of all storage plus deferrable loads (see ), saving the expense of this capacity

demand side management

more stable pricing – the cost of the storage or demand management is included in pricing so there is less variation in power rates charged to customers, or alternatively (if rates are kept stable by law) less loss to the utility from expensive on-peak wholesale power rates when peak demand must be met by imported wholesale power

emergency preparedness – vital needs can be met reliably even with no transmission or generation going on while non-essential needs are deferred

Seasonal (during dark winters more electric lighting and heating is required, while in other climates hot weather boosts the requirement for air conditioning)

Weekly (most industry closes at the weekend, lowering demand)

Daily (such as the morning peak as offices open and get switched on)

air conditioners

Hourly (one method for estimating television viewing figures in the United Kingdom is to measure the power spikes during advertisement breaks or after programmes when viewers go to switch a kettle on)

[122]

Transient (fluctuations due to individual's actions, differences in power transmission efficiency and other small factors that need to be accounted for)

by Sean Davies in The E&T Magazine Vol 5 Issue 9 from the www.IET.org

Saving For a Windless day

Baxter, Richard (2006). . PennWell Books. ISBN 978-1-59370-027-0.

Energy Storage: A Nontechnical Guide

UK Government report on the Benefits of long-duration electricity storage (Aug 2022)

A large grid-connected nickel-cadmium battery

Stationary Energy Storage…Key to the Renewable Grid

Electricity Storage FactBook