I also consent to having my name published. Energy storage is key to secure constant renewable energy supply to power systems – even when the sun does not shine, and the wind does not blow. Energy storage provides a solution to achieve flexibility, enhance grid reliability and power quality, and accommodate the scale-up of renewable energy.
Solar and wind provide “intermittent” electricity, meaning their energy production changes depending on the weather. People often need energy when the wind is not blowing or the sun isn’t shining, so we can end up with too much electricity at some times, and not enough electricity at other times.
The electric power relies on the batteries, the battery charge, and the battery capacity. Intermittent solar energy, wind power, and energy storage system include a combination of battery storage and V2G operations. These energy storages function simultaneously, supporting each other.
Energy storage is a technology that holds energy at one time so it can be used at another time. Building more energy storage allows renewable energy sources like wind and solar to power more of our electric grid.
Storage is more valuable for wind than solar in two out of the three locations studied (Texas and Massachusetts), but across all locations the benefit from storage is roughly similar across the two energy resources, in terms of the percentage increase in value due to the incorporation of optimally sized storage.
Some storage technologies today are shown to add value to solar and wind energy, but cost reduction is needed to reach widespread profitability.