In other sectors, clean electrification enabled by batteries is critical to reduce the use of oil, natural gas and coal. To triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030 while maintaining electricity security, energy storage needs to increase six-times.
China is likely to be the main winner from the increased use of grid-scale battery energy storage. Chinese battery companies BYD, CATL and EVE Energy are the three largest producers of energy storage batteries, especially the cheaper LFP batteries.
It successfully demonstrated the role of batteries connected to the distribution grid in providing such services. Congestion in grids occurs when power flow is constrained by grid assets’ capabilities, creating a bottleneck that limits the normal flow of electricity.
Furthermore, battery energy storage systems (BESS) are an important direct source of flexibility, as they can store and supply power to the grid almost instantly. In addition to facilitating near-real-time system balancing, BESS can also contribute to a range of services that support the grid. How can BESS help mitigate grid challenges?
China’s CATL, the world’s largest battery producer, says its energy storage batteries can last for 25 years. Will it save the planet? Not on its own — but grid-scale energy storage is part of the combination of clean energy technologies that is needed to reach net zero.
The time for rapid growth in industrial-scale energy storage is at hand, as countries around the world switch to renewable energies, which are gradually replacing fossil fuels. Batteries are one of the options.