Energy storage systems are necessary for the operation of power systems. There primary function is to ensure the continuity of energy supply and improve the reliability of the system. In renewable energy generation, all the surplus energy produced, which is not being used for current necessity, is stored in energy storage devices or supplied to the grid. Energy storage systems are various forms and sizes. The size, cost, and scalability of an energy storage system majorly depend on the form of the stored energy.
For the smooth functioning of the electricity grid, it is necessary to have power supply and demand at par. Frequent changes in the supply are required for the changing demands, which also includes daily human consumption activities as well as unexpected changes from the equipment such as overloads and storms. Energy Storage plays a vital role in this balancing act and also helps in creating a more reliable and flexible grid system.
Energy Storage Solution is becoming an essential support system, especially with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar having a variable output of energy. They help in smoothing out the electricity supply from these sources and ensuring that the supplied power matches the demand.
Increases Reliability & Resilience
Energy storage can provide backup power during disruptions. Storage enables flexibility for the grid, which helps to provide uninterrupted power to consumers. This flexibility is critical to both reliability and resilience. With the rising cost of outages, the worth of enhanced reliability and improvements in resilience also increases.
Integrate Diverse Resources
Energy storage can enhance output result of variable or intermittent resources such as wind and solar, by storing excess energy when the wind is blowing, and the sun is shining, and using it when the generation of power is at a halt.
Besides, storage can also support the efficient distribution of electricity for inflexible, baseload resources. With the sudden change in demand, flexibility is essential; this is where energy storage plays a crucial role as it can inject or extract electricity needed to precisely match load.
Reduce Environmental Impacts
Energy Storage devices help in maintaining the balance by storing the unutilized energy and procuring it when additional energy is required. This creates efficiencies and capabilities for the electric grid, including the ability to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
With more flexibility in the grid, energy storage can help integrate more solar, wind, and distributed energy resources. Energy Storage can also be beneficial in improving the efficiency of the grid, increasing the capacity factor of existing resources, and offset the need for building new pollution- emitting peak power plants.
Cost Efficiency
Energy storage can save operational costs in powering the grid and can help in saving for those consumers who procure energy storage in their homes and businesses. Energy storage can reduce the cost to provide frequency regulation and spinning reserve services, as well as offset the costs to consumers by storing low-cost energy and using it later, during peak periods at higher electricity rates.