Energy networks and storage

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A record high 5 GW of battery storage capacity was added worldwide in 2020, bringing the total capacity to around 17 GW

Energy storage allows for flexibility in the timing of when energy is supplied and when it is used. Energy storage comes in a number of forms, including chemical, kinetic, thermal, gravitational potential, electromagnetic, electrochemical and osmotic potential. The choice of storage solution depends on location as well as reserve service required, since different technologies can provide different capacities and durations of storage. Storage of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels has been commonplace for centuries; as the low carbon transition requires integration of increasing intermittent renewable sources into the system, energy storage is becoming integral for reducing dependency on fossil fuels and achieving a flexible, resilient energy network. Strategic placement of storage also gives the potential to avoid otherwise necessary network upgrades and curtailment of expensive assets. Greater connectivity between different energy networks, i.e. interconnection across national grids, can allow for security of supply without needing additional generation capacity.

Energy storage has applications varying from small-scale local systems in homes or commercial buildings – which are becoming increasingly common alongside the rise of distributed generation – to utility-scale storage systems. Common examples of energy storage include batteries (mainly lithium-ion) which store electricity as chemical energy, pumped hydroelectric storage systems which store gravitational potential energy in elevated reservoirs, and ice storage tanks which store thermal energy by freezing water with cheaper energy at night to meet peak cooling demand in daytime. Surplus renewable electricity can also be used to produce energy carriers like hydrogen, enabling the storage of renewable energy for long periods. Electric vehicles can also function as storage systems, since electricity can be transferred both to and from the batteries of plugged-in vehicles when needed. With energy storage expected to play a greater role towards a low-carbon and sustainable energy future, various storage technologies must be evaluated to balance the trade-offs between life-cycle cost, efficiency, material sustainability and safety.

Learn more about storage by reading our Energy Insights.

Read our New Energy World articles on how energy storage fits into strategies for carbon reduction.

Learn about recent public funding for research and development of energy storage on our policy milestone calendar.

What's new?

UK hits major clean energy milestone, while National Grid calls for ‘urgent reform’

24/05/2023

Data from National Grid analytics reveals that it has taken 50 years to reach the 1tn kWh milestone and, based on current projections, it is expected ...

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Europe needs over $32tn of investment to reach net zero

24/05/2023

The report details a pathway for Europe (comprising the EU, UK, Norway and Switzerland) to reach net zero emissions by 2050, using the lowest cost tec...

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Proposed US CCS projects need ‘careful review’

17/05/2023

IEEFA has consistently opposed the retrofit of coal-fired power plants with CCS, believing that the technology ‘does not work as promised’ and has ‘hi...

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Wind power first for Britain

17/05/2023

Almost a third (32.4%) of Britain’s electricity was supplied from wind power during the first quarter of 2023, outpacing gas which delivered 31.7%. It...

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New emissions standards proposed for US fossil fuel-fired power plants

17/05/2023

The new proposed standards would avoid more than 600mn tonnes of CO2 emissions through 2042, as well as tens of thousands of tonnes of particulate mat...

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Events and training

Webinar: Development of a safety case for hydrogen storage and distribution by pipeline (Hy2004)

26/07/2023

Webinar: Development of a safety case for hydrogen storage and distribution by pipeline (Hy2004)Zoom

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Tank Storage Conference and Exhibition

21/09/2023

The Tank Storage Conference and Exhibition is the UK’s leading event for the bulk liquid storage sector. The event has a proven track record of ...

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Tank Storage Conference and Exhibition

21/09/2023

The Tank Storage Conference and Exhibition is the UK’s leading event for the bulk storage and energy infrastructure sector.

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Hazardous Area Classification - November 2023

07/11/2023 - 09/11/2023

This 3-day training course will provide delegates with training on the Energy Institute Model Safe Code of Practice 15, Area Classification for Instal...

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Aviation Jet Fuel - Nov 2023

14/11/2023 - 16/11/2023

This 3-day training course will provide delegates with an overview of aviation jet fuel, focusing on the jet engine, its underlying principles and fue...

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Technical guidance publications

Vulnerability review and assessment for safety and environmental critical equipment to control escalation risks on atmospheric storage tank sites

2023

The vulnerability of safety and environmental critical (SEC) equipment used in emergency response to prevent, limit, or mitigate further escalation co...

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Model Code of Safe Practice Part 19: Fire precautions at petroleum refineries and bulk storage installations

2023

EI Model Code of Safe Practice Part 19:  Fire precautions at petroleum refineries and bulk storage installations (a.k.a. EI 19) provides gui...

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Investigation into the risk and impact associated with non-diesel fuel engine vehicles, by type, whilst entering or working within hazardous storage locations (Phase 3)

2023

The Road to Zero sets out a path for zero emissions and ultra-low emission vehicles, clearly setting out a drive for manufacturers to develop and sell...

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Model Code of Safe Practice Part 11: Bitumen safety code

2023

The 5th edition of Model Code of Safe Practice Part 11: Safety, health and environmental aspects of design, construction, operation, inspection and ma...

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Tripod lite: A ‘lite’ tool for investigating simple incidents, events and near misses

2023

This publication is free to download.  Register or log in, then click 'download'.Note: this will download a document 'landing page' that inc...

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Energy Insight: Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture Usage and Storage (CCUS) in the UK

Read our Energy Insight on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture Usage and Storage (CCUS) in the UK