Energy storage systems (ESS) are seen as one of the main pillars for a renewable-based energy system. Selecting the most suitable, cost effective and sustainable storage option for a project or specific site is a difficult task that involves numerous stakeholders with quite often conflicting objectives that cannot all be fulfilled by a single technology.  

  

Potential Benefits of Increased Use of Energy Storage  

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• allowing the best use of existing generation and in particular renewable energy resources;  

• scope for using electricity generation to support clean fuel development for transport and heat;  

• reduced reliance on fossil fuel stations as back-up capacity;  

• helping to stabilise the transmission and distribution grid – using stored energy to avoid temporary constraints on the network and to improve power quality;  

• benefits for generators who could store electricity when prices are low and sell it when prices are high;  

• potential savings in greenhouse gas emissions; and  

• the potential for storage to provide ‘black start’ capacity.