Abstract: This paper presents the updated status of energy storage (ES) technologies, and their technical and economical characteristics, so that, the best technology can be selected either for grid-connected or off-grid power system applications.
Off-grid energy storage, specifically battery technology, is a crucial asset to satisfy electricity needs of individual households, small communities, and islands, as discussed in the chapter.
While mentions of large tied-grid energy storage technologies will be made, this chapter focuses on off-grid storage systems in the perspective of rural and island electrification, which means in the context of providing energy services in remote areas. The electrical load of power systems varies significantly with both location and time.
In off-grid applications, ES can be used to balance the generation and consumption, to prevent frequency and voltage deviations. Due to the widespread use of battery energy storage (BES), the paper further presents various battery models, for power system economic analysis, reliability evaluation, and dynamic studies.
1. Introduction: the challenges of energy storage Energy storage is one of the most promising options in the management of future power grids, as it can support the discharge periods for stand-alone applications such as solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind turbines.
Electrochemical storage technologies are the most common solutions for off-grid installations. If nonelectrical energy storage systems, such as water tanks for a pumping system or flywheels or hydrogen storage in specific locations and contexts, are sometimes a relevant solution, they are not as common as electrochemical storage technologies.