Energy storage can provide "ride-through" for momentary outages, and extended protection from longer outages. Coupled with advanced power electronics, storage systems can reduce harmonic distortions, and eliminate voltage sags and surges.

Renewables Support

In combination with renewable resources, energy storage can increase the value of photovoltaic (PV) and wind-generated electricity, making supply coincident with periods of peak consumer demand.

Utility Support

Energy storage systems can be used to follow load, stabilize voltage & frequency, manage peak loads, improve power quality, defer upgrade investments, and support renewables. The side chart shows the power and discharge time requirements for a variety of storage applications in the utility industry.

The world market for batteries is estimated at about US $15 billion each year. The ESA estimates that industrial batteries, as might be used in uninterruptable power supplies, power quality applications, standby and reserve batteries amount to US $5 billion each year.

Manufacturing facilities for advanced batteries specifically designed for energy storage applications on power systems are being installed in North America, Europe and Asia. New manufacturing capability of at least 300 MW per year has been brought on stream in the past twelve to eighteen months.

There is a revival of interest world-wide in energy storage and its applications. It is not just about batteries. Other techniques such as advanced flywheels and superconductivity are also attracting great interest.

You will find more information on this website and by following the links. The best way to find out what is going on is to join the ESA and take part in our meetings and discussions! Welcome to the new world of energy storage!