Renewable Energy Storage

by Lisa Wang

Decarbonization of our energy systems are essential, and energy storage technologies are critical to transitioning towards clean energy. Energy storage is crucial to the renewable energy transition, because many renewable energy resources are intermittent and non-dispatchable. Solar panels don't generate electricity when the sun isn't shining, and wind turbines don't when the wind isn't blowing. But energy storage can balance supply and demand and stabilize the grid.

Electricity grids must constantly adjust supply to reliably match energy demand. Energy storage technologies create flexibility in the system. When demand outpaces supply, facilities can discharge stored energy to the grid.

Energy storage systems include batteries, flywheels, thermal, hydroelectric, compressed air, and hydrogen energy storage. We explore each of these forms of energy storage briefly in the Basics of Energy Storage graphic.

Infographic by Lisa Wang ‘23, Morgan Whitten ‘21.