Most of the world's grid energy storage by capacity is in the form of pumped-storage hydroelectricity, which is covered in List of pumped-storage hydroelectric power stations. This article list plants using all other forms of energy storage.
The energy storage power plants help improve the utilization rate of wind power, solar and other renewable sources, thus promoting the proportion of new energy consumption. In the first half of 2023, China's installed renewable energy capacity surpassed coal power for the first time in history.
Global capability was around 8 500 GWh in 2020, accounting for over 90% of total global electricity storage. The world’s largest capacity is found in the United States. The majority of plants in operation today are used to provide daily balancing. Grid-scale batteries are catching up, however.
Global electricity demand is set to more than double by mid-century, relative to 2020 levels. With renewable sources – particularly wind and solar – expected to account for the largest share of power output in the coming decades, energy storage will play a significant role in maintaining the balance between supply and demand.
The largest markets for stationary energy storage in 2030 are projected to be in North America (41.1 GWh), China (32.6 GWh), and Europe (31.2 GWh). Excluding China, Japan (2.3 GWh) and South Korea (1.2 GWh) comprise a large part of the rest of the Asian market.
Many individual energy storage plants augment electrical grids by capturing excess electrical energy during periods of low demand and storing it in other forms until needed on an electrical grid. The energy is later converted back to its electrical form and returned to the grid as needed.