How does energy storage work?

Energy storage can be used to lower peak consumption (the highest amount of power a customer draws from the grid), thus reducing the amount customers pay for demand charges. Our model calculates that in North America, the break-even point for most customers paying a demand charge is about $9 per kilowatt.

Why do companies invest in energy-storage devices?

Historically, companies, grid operators, independent power providers, and utilities have invested in energy-storage devices to provide a specific benefit, either for themselves or for the grid. As storage costs fall, ownership will broaden and many new business models will emerge.

Why is energy storage important?

Energy storage is a potential substitute for, or complement to, almost every aspect of a power system, including generation, transmission, and demand flexibility. Storage should be co-optimized with clean generation, transmission systems, and strategies to reward consumers for making their electricity use more flexible.

Why do we need a co-optimized energy storage system?

The need to co-optimize storage with other elements of the electricity system, coupled with uncertain climate change impacts on demand and supply, necessitate advances in analytical tools to reliably and efficiently plan, operate, and regulate power systems of the future.

What makes the energy storage industry so interesting?

The energy storage industry is still fairly young compared to others like wind or solar. This means it’s rapidly growing, changing and innovating (part of what makes working in the industry so interesting).

What role does technology play in energy storage?

Technology has a very important role to play in energy storage and has been instrumental in getting the industry to where it is now. That said, we’re still learning and solving complex problems each day. This means the industry needs software developers and data scientists, along with machine learning and optimisation experts.