Grid-based energy storage policy

What are energy storage policies?

These policies are mostly concentrated around battery storage system, which is considered to be the fastest growing energy storage technology due to its efficiency, flexibility and rapidly decreasing cost. ESS policies are primarily found in regions with highly developed economies, that have advanced knowledge and expertise in the sector.

Why is energy storage important to the grid?

These storage systems have provided a wide range of services to the grid including load balancing, load following, reserve generation, and frequency and voltage support. With increased penetration of variable generation like solar and wind, there will be higher demand for such services, therefore energy storage will become critical to the grid.

Is energy storage a distinct asset class within the electric grid system?

The authors support defining energy storage as a distinct asset class within the electric grid system, supported with effective regulatory and financial policies for development and deployment within a storage-based smart grid system in which storage is placed in a central role.

What role does energy storage play in a smart grid?

Asset class position and role of energy storage within the smart grid As utility networks are transformed into smart grids, interest in energy storage systems is increasing within the context of aging generation assets, heightening renewable energy penetration, and more distributed sources of generation .

How do grid operators use energy storage?

Currently, grid operators would use strategies, such as back-casting (using historical data to predict economically desirable deployment schedules) to apply energy storage. This strategy does not completely capture arbitrage value due to near time weather and usage variations (only 85%) .

What drives grid-level energy storage?

The drivers for grid-level energy storage are rapidly decreasing cost of energy storage, and the multitude of benefits provided by energy storage to the grid in general and to grids with high penetration of renewable energy in particular. The rapid decrease in cost is primarily driven by rapid innovation and scale in the electric vehicle market.