Local energy storage can be applied to assist with voltage regulation (specifically voltage rise) in the presence of high levels of distributed generation. Energy storage may be used to absorb the active power injected by the local generation, reducing the amount exported into the supply network.
Energy storage may be used to absorb the active power injected by the local generation, reducing the amount exported into the supply network. This energy storage may take the form of batteries as well as alternate energy storage such as hot water.
Local CES refers to shared residential as well as shared energy storage in a localized community. The members have shared goals such as energy independence, resiliency, autonomy as well as energy security and self-govern and own the CES. Shared local energy storage is emerging in the energy landscape.
Electricity can be stored in a variety of ways, including in batteries, by compressing air, by making hydrogen using electrolysers, or as heat. Storing hydrogen in solution-mined salt caverns will be the best way to meet the long-term storage need as it has the lowest cost per unit of energy storage capacity.
Historical weather records indicate that it will be necessary to store large amounts of energy (some 1000 times that provided by pumped hydro) for many years. What electricity storage will be needed, and what are the alternatives?
From the point of view of the local energy storage facilities (batteries and reservoirs), the investments are strongly influenced by the role of the grid exchange and the degree of autonomy expected for the plants. The variable spatial location and capacity of plants may warrant significant economies of scale and variable capital costs.